Kohima: The Legislative Assembly here on Thursday expressed serious concern over neighbouring Assam government’s allegations that Nagaland has encroached 594.90 sq km of land along the inter-state border area.
Opposition MLA- Imkong L Imchen- raised the issue during zero hour quoting July 29 newspapers reports of Assam Border Protection and Development Minister- Chandra Mohan Patowary- telling the state assembly there that Nagaland was occupying the largest area of 594.90 sq km out of the total of 832.67 sq km of Assam’s land encroached by its neighbouring states.
Chief Minister Neiphiu Rio also voiced concern over the matter.
Imchen said the Naga people and government of Nagaland are of the firm opinion that we need to have good neighbourly relation with all the neighbouring states as we have to live together in tranquility for years to come.
The Assam-Nagaland boundary issue is lying in the Supreme Court for quite some time now, he said, adding the state government is willing to settle the matter outside the court because we believe in peaceful coexistence.
Citing Rules of Procedure and Conduct of Business that a matter which is under adjudication should not be discussed in the house, he hoped that Assam Legislative Assembly must also be having similar rules.
Nonetheless, he lamented that Assam assembly allowed such questions and permitted the state minister to reply to it.
He also pointed that the 16-point agreement, which led to the creation of Nagaland statehood, clearly states that all the reserve forest and other Naga areas that were transferred out of Naga area would be returned to Nagaland with a clearly defined boundary.
Thanking and appreciating the concern expressed by NPF legislator in the House, Rio also expressed serious concern on the matter saying this is in the court and matter is sub judice but I am also surprised to learn from newspapers reports that in Assam Assembly question was entertained and reply made by the Minister in-charge. (PTI)
