Nagaland: Deputy CM Y Patton visits border villages amid tensions with Assam

October 16, 2024 15 Views No Comment

Letters sent to the PM, HM, and Assam CM urging a resolution

Morung Express News
Mokokchung | October 16

Nagaland Deputy Chief Minister Y Patton, along with senior officials, visited two villages in the Tuli area of Mokokchung district on October 15 to address the ongoing border disputes with neighboring Assam. Patton, who also holds the portfolio for Home and Border Affairs, was accompanied by A Pangjung Jamir, Advisor for Fisheries & Aquatic Resources, Home Secretary, DGP Rupin Sharma, and the district administration led by the Deputy Commissioner of Mokokchung.

The team inspected key areas of concern, including the Assam Police Commando Battalion camp at Septsuyong Lu in Kangtsung Village and Wameken Yimsen village. The visit aimed to assess the situation on the ground and engage with local stakeholders amid growing tensions in the border area.

The Ao Senden, had earlier appealed to the Nagaland Chief Minister for urgent intervention regarding the reported construction of an Assam Police Commando Battalion camp at Septsuyong Lu in Kangtsung Village, Mokokchung district. In their letter, the Ao Senden noted that since January 2022, various organizations had sought intervention from the state government on multiple occasions through representations, concerning the alleged encroachments by Assam Police on Kangtsung Village’s traditional land. Despite these efforts, the Ao Senden claimed that no response or action had been taken by the Nagaland government.

The Ao Senden had also quoted a recent news report in the Times of India, which reported that the Ministry of Environment, Forest & Climate Change (MoEF&CC) granted in-principle approval for the diversion of 28 hectares of reserve forest for the battalion’s establishment, which has intensified concerns.

During discussions with the villagers and representatives of Ao Senden at Kangtsung Village, Patton reassured the community that the Nagaland cabinet had held a meeting on October 9 to deliberate on the issue, highlighting the government’s serious approach to resolving the dispute. He informed the villagers that letters had been sent to the Prime Minister, Home Minister, and the Chief Minister of Assam, urging a resolution. He added that the state cabinet would meet with them soon to discuss the matter.

Patton also urged the villagers not to sell their land to non-indigenous people, emphasizing the importance of preserving local land ownership in the region.

Earlier, Marsanen Imsong, President of Ao Senden, described the visit by the Deputy CM and DGP as “historic.” He lamented that the Aos had been farming the land since time immemorial, and allowing the camp to be established would mark the beginning of the end of their ancestral land. Imsong firmly stated that not even an inch of the land would be surrendered, as it is a vital part of their heritage.