NPF MLA, Achumbemo Kikon on Thursday raised several concerns relating to the Assam–Nagaland Border on the fifth day of the 8th Session of the 14th Nagaland Legislative Assembly.
Referring to the 1972 interim agreement between the Government of Nagaland and the Government of Assam, he stated that Nagaland had faithfully complied with the agreement by withdrawing all its NAP outposts and police stations from the Assam–Nagaland border areas, particularly in the disputed belt. However, he said that instead of reducing its presence, Assam had increased the number of police outposts. He, therefore, questioned the minister concerned about how many police stations or outposts were currently in existence within the Disputed Area Belt (DAB).
Kikon stated that he comes from one of the most vulnerable areas, with his constituency covering the longest stretch of the Assam–Nagaland border, measuring about 105 kilometres. Because of the frequent tensions between the two sides, he said he spends much of his time addressing such issues instead of focusing on other important matters.
He also highlighted recent incidents where neutral forces such as the Central Industrial Security Force (CISF) and the Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) were allegedly not maintaining neutrality. According to him, these forces were protecting citizens from the Assam side and even obstructing the operation of a petrol pump constructed by Nagas. He said the presence of personnel from the Nagaland side was minimal, while the numbers from the other side, including the neutral forces, were much larger. As a result, he claimed that the Nagaland side was not in control of the situation.
Referring again to the 1972 interim agreement, Kikon said it clearly stipulated that status quo should be maintained and the boundaries of both states respected. However, he alleged that such violations were occurring regularly and said he wished to bring these matters to the attention of the House.
Raising the issue of the seed farm at Merapani, he stated that the land belongs to the state government and that it is the responsibility of the Government of Nagaland to protect it. However, he alleged that the neutral forces were instead protecting illegal immigrants who had been brought in as labourers and tenants and were attempting to take over the land.
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Kikon further said that the so-called neutral forces were not acting neutrally, and that more police outposts were being erected on the Assam side. While Nagaland had withdrawn its outposts following the 1972 agreement, he claimed that Assam had instead increased its presence.
On the issue of deploying Village Guards in the area, he said that even the Chief Minister was aware of the seriousness of the situation, as he had previously been involved in decisions related to the matter. He stressed that the issue required urgent and serious attention.
He also questioned the Minister in charge of Power regarding the extension of power lines from the Nagaland side to the village of Tchunjanphen and other border areas. He said that villagers from the Ralan area, along with organizations such as the Lotha Hoho and local women’s groups, had been collecting money to buy fuel for generators used by the Indian Reserve Battalion (IRB) stationed at Tchunjanphen. The minister had earlier assured that the matter would be looked into, and Kikon asked about the progress made.
He also mentioned that after the last eviction drive, landowners in the area had held a meeting and decided to donate 10,000 acres of land to the Government of Nagaland, but no action had yet been taken by the government.
Kikon further questioned the Minister for Environment, Forest and Climate Change, alleging that the Government of Assam had sent forest guards into the area under the protection of the neutral forces. He asked how many forest guards had been deployed from the Nagaland side in response.
He also raised concerns regarding the census process in the DAB. According to him, although villages were being geo-tagged and recognised by the government, the geo-tagging sometimes identified them as being in Assam, which created serious complications. He stressed that this issue was very important and needed to be addressed.
In addition, he said that road and power connectivity from the Assam side was increasing their administrative presence and giving them greater authority and legal standing over the area.
Responding to the issue, Deputy Chief Minister in charge of Border Affairs, Yanthungo Patton stated that before the 1972 agreement, Nagaland had five police outposts along the Assam–Nagaland border, while Assam had thirteen. After the agreement, Nagaland withdrew all its outposts, but Assam did not withdraw any. Instead, he said Assam had since established 63 permanent police outposts along the border areas adjoining Nagaland.
He added that Nagaland has about 102 Naga villages located along the border with Assam. The government is examining proposals from various departments regarding the establishment of eight to nine police outposts in the bordering areas, he said.
Minister for Power and Parliamentary Affairs, KG Kenye stated that the disputed areas remain unresolved and that residents there lack basic amenities. However, he assured that the government is making efforts to address these concerns. He said that two attempts had been made by the department to extend power supply after he assumed office, including one attempt last year. However, the proposed power lines had to pass through disputed areas, which led to resistance and heightened tensions.
He said the department is now trying to identify an alternative route, although extending power supply further into inhabited areas also presents difficulties. He nevertheless assured that the department is exploring all possible means to provide electricity connections within the year.
Minister for Environment, Forest and Climate Change, CL John responded that plantation work in the Assam–Nagaland border eviction areas had not been carried out because it was the dry season. He said a proposal had been submitted to undertake plantation between May and July. Regarding patrolling in the DAB, he said that neutral forces are currently present in the area and that if patrolling becomes necessary in the future, the department will deploy personnel.
Minister for Public Health Engineering, Jacob Zhimomi also supplemented the discussion, stating that several departments are implementing flagship programmes in the state, including road projects under the Central Road and Infrastructure Fund (CRIF). He suggested that the government should write to the appropriate authorities so that such development projects are not hindered by the forces stationed in the so-called neutral areas.
He also pointed out that many flagship programmes, especially in border areas, require real-time depiction and mapping as per the criteria of the concerned ministries. However, departments often face difficulties because some locations are depicted as belonging to different states during planning meetings, which complicates clarifications with central ministries. As a result, although projects are prepared and implemented within the state by departments, problems arise when they reach the Centre.
Zhimomi further suggested that the government could write to the Geological Survey of India (GSI) to redraw and clearly demarcate these areas, reflecting the legitimate territory of Nagaland. He asserted that, from Nagaland’s perspective, these areas are not disputed and that Nagas have been occupying them for over a hundred years.
He concluded by stating that the matter is extremely important and needs to be addressed.
