The Lotha Lower Range Public Organisation (LLRPO) has strongly condemned the alleged assault of Longayim and Longchum village council members during separate confrontations at Negheribil, a disputed area along the Assam-Nagaland border.

LLRPO Joint Secretary Zathungo Yanthan stated that the first incident occurred on August 25, when members of the Longayim Village Council were returning to their village after collecting rubber saplings from the Rubber Board of India for distribution among villagers to be planted on their respective farms.

According to Yanthan, the route to Longayim passes through the disputed Negheribil area, where the Forest Department, Assam, had reportedly erected a barricade. Police personnel stopped the vehicle carrying the council members and restricted their movement.

While discussions were underway with the authorities, a crowd reportedly gathered at the location, resulting in a scuffle. The situation was brought under control after the intervention of police personnel, civil administration officials and border magistrates from both Assam and Nagaland. The village council members were subsequently allowed to proceed to Longayim.

Yanthan said that on August 26, the Deputy Commissioner and Superintendent of Police, Wokha, visited the disputed area for an on-the-spot assessment and invited LLRPO representatives to join the visit.

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He said that while travelling to the site, he encountered another confrontation at the same location, where around 200–300 people from Assam had reportedly gathered and restricted movement.

According to Yanthan, the chairmen of the Longayim and Longchum village councils also reached the area on two-wheelers. As the road was blocked, they sounded their horns, following which the crowd allegedly became agitated and attacked the two village council leaders.

Police personnel present at the site intervened and took steps to control the situation, Yanthan said.

He further alleged that the crowd subsequently accused him of being present at the site on August 25 and physically assaulted him. He claimed that his mobile phone was taken away and that some women in the crowd slapped and manhandled him.

Condemning the alleged incidents as unwarranted, Yanthan called for those involved to be identified and arrested. He also urged the authorities to take necessary measures to prevent further escalation and ensure the safety and free movement of people in the disputed area.