Kohima: A Joint Action Committee (JAC), comprising members of border villages in Dimapur-Karbi Anglong area, have sought immediate intervention of Nagaland Chief Minister Neiphiu Rio over the situation prevailing there on the issue of demand on areas by Nagaland and Assam.
A joint representation signed by JAC convener Hetokhu Awomi and seven other representing the committee Nagaland and Assam had agreed that the inter-state border area was a disputed land and made a joint declaration in 1971. It was re-affirmed in 1979.
Pointing out that the matter was still pending in the court, the JAC claimed that ‘Karbis, Gurkhas and Bangladeshis’ have established more than 40 villages in and around the disputed land.
The Committee said the dense forest under the disputed area was left under the supervision of Assam Forest Department and has been completely destroyed. JAC alleged that the entire area had been ‘occupied by these groups of people leaving no free space and the same activities were being carried out under the patronage and protection of Assam police.
The JAC also appealed to the Chief Minister to withdraw the promulgation of Section 144 of CrPC immediately and instead ask for deployment of at least one company of Indian Reserve Battalion and Nagaland Armed Police personnel in the disputed area as the Assam Government has already deployed its police force.
The JAC also warned that if the state authorities failed to take measures, the committee would be compelled to take ‘its own course of action. (UNI)