Tension along Nagaland-Assam border after arson of 9 houses

Kohima:  Tension ran high along the Nagaland – Assam border in Dimapur-Karbi Anglong border area after nine houses were burnt down allegedly by encroachers in Khukuri basti area in Nagaland, at the wee hours of  Saturday while eight persons were also arrested in separate incidents.
According to Assam, Additional Superintendent of Police (SP-Border) S Ali Ahmed, around 100 miscreants armed with sharp weapons, bows and arrows came to Khukuri basti village near Rangapahar border outpost under Dhansiri police station and set on fire nine houses.
Police sources said they also suspect the hand of timber smugglers. Protesting the incident, the local residents staged demonstrations in the area, police said, adding that the situation was under control.
Dimapur Superintendent of Police V Z Angami confirmed that the additional SP (Border) had informed him about the incident. It was also reported that the occupants of the nine houses were intimidated by the encroachers to vacate the place allegedly by two persons identified as Bindu Debnath alias Kala and Sunil Dutta.
He, further said he was informed that the Assam police had arrested five people suspected to be encroachers from Disapur, Lahorijan Border Outpost. Out of the five arrested the Assam counterpart divulged two names identified as one Herato Simi and Loboka Sümi.
Police said three more persons were arrested from Lahorijan area.
In another incident at Matipung DCRF, near Diphu town, police resorted to blank firing after some local residents reportedly tried to encroach a vast forest area. Sources said two minors were picked up from the Disapur area under Dillai police outpost.
Meanwhile, an indefinite Karbi Anglong bandh has been called beginning 0500 am, today. The bandh has been called by the Karbi Anglong Kave Arat.  It is not related to the Dimapur-Karbi Anglong border issue, sources informed, but to a land dispute between locals and the Assam Forest Department. (UNI)