Nagaland Deputy Chief Minister, Y Patton has issued a clarification regarding a video clip in circulation, which he said attempts to create a “false impression” about his presence and commitment to the Disputed Area Belt (DAB) issue along the Assam–Nagaland border.
In a press release issued by his media cell, Patton stated that he has been actively engaged with developments since the recent eviction drive and has been “constantly monitoring the situation.” He said that on July 24, he personally visited Ralan area in Wokha district to assess the ground reality. During the visit, he also held a public meeting at Liphayan village in the presence of 40 Bhandari A/C MLA, Achumbemo Kikon, district administration officials, and police personnel. At the meeting, community members raised concerns over the deployment of additional forces.
On the same day, the Deputy CM also convened a coordination meeting in Niuland to review the situation there. Patton said the governments of Assam and Nagaland were working in close cooperation to ensure the smooth execution of the eviction drive. He also appreciated the efforts of both Chief Ministers of Assam and Nagaland for their leadership in carrying out the process while maintaining law and order.
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Responding to allegations made by a local television journalist that he and the state government had not visited the border areas, Patton termed the claims “baseless and unfounded.” He expressed pain over such accusations, stressing that his presence and intervention had been consistent since the beginning of the issue.
The Deputy CM also urged media houses and journalists to exercise due diligence and verify facts from official sources before publishing reports on sensitive matters such as border operations. “Unfounded claims or unverified information not only mislead the public but also risk creating unnecessary confusion and tension,” the release stated.
Reaffirming the government’s commitment to peace, order, and transparency, Patton appreciated the role of the media in reporting accurately and objectively on matters of public interest.
