Kohima: Villagers under Ralan sub-division in Wokha district of Nagaland have pulled down all electric poles erected by Assam Power Department reportedly within the Nagaland side of the border.
According to sources, the irate villagers termed it ‘tactical encroachment’ through development and informed that more than 30 ferrous-concrete electric poles were demolished on May 26 as they were illegally erected within the area.
According to the villagers, what irked them most was the setting up of a signboard by the neighbouring Assam villages to demarcate a boundary line much within the Ralan jurisdiction.
The legislators of Wokha district led by Parliamentary Secretary for Border Affairs Yanthungo Patton; Parliamentary Secretary for Prisons Home Guards, Fire and Emergency Services Wochumo Kithan and Nagaland Assembly Deputy Speaker Ralanthung Yanthan, along with officials from the district administration visited the area on Sunday to take stock of the situation.
The resentment was expressed at a public meeting held at Liphayan village, where the public attributed the present situation to lack of a clear cut boundary demarcation with the neighbouring state.
Addressing the meeting, Y Patton said the ongoing electrification drive by Assam was without the consent and consultation of the Nagaland Government and the public of the said area.
Stating that the interest of the state and its ownership rights will be protected at all cost, he said the state government would give all support to the public to stop such illegal activities, while adding that the public should not remain idle but play proactive role to bring development in the area. Nagaland Deputy Speaker Ralanthung Yanthan addressing the gathering said, “We don’t have any misunderstanding nor are we fighting with our age-old traditional friends, the Ahoms of Assam, but we are fighting the illegal migrants of Assam who are trying to forcefully occupy our land and destroy our friendship.” (UNI)