The Assam-Nagaland border dispute once again took centre stage in the Nagaland Legislative Assembly, with Chief Minister Neiphiu Rio, Deputy Chief Minister Y Patton, NPF MLA Achumbemo Kikon, and Minister for PHE Jacob Zhimomi engaging in an elaborate discussion that touched upon the historical roots of the conflict, present challenges faced by border villagers, and urgent demands for permanent safeguards including Village Guards (VGs) and police outposts.
Replying to a supplementary question raised by NPF MLA Achumbemo Kikon, Chief Minister Rio said that the Village Guards (VGs) come under the purview of the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) and are sanctioned on a 90:10 ratio between the Centre and the State. He explained that although the State Cabinet had resolved on June 26, 2013, to increase VG forces along the interstate border, the MHA objected on the ground that VGs are meant only for guarding international borders, not interstate boundaries. “The Cabinet decision remains under discussion, and we are reviewing how to address interstate border issues and protect our people,” Rio said.
The Chief Minister further informed the House that the government is already in the process of setting up two new police stations as requested by Achumbemo Kikon, assuring that necessary support will be extended to all such police stations in vulnerable areas.
Citing history, Rio recalled that in 1977, as president of the Nagaland Youth under UDF, he had led youths to manually construct the Patkai road to Niuland, despite opposition from Assam police.
“We have a long history, our ancestral land, and the British map of the Naga Hills is clear. But due to political issues, successive governments could not fully claim or occupy. It is a collective failure, but I hope that with the Assam government and its Chief Minister showing willingness, we can resolve the issue amicably outside court,” Rio said.
Raising a correction in Deputy CM Y Patton’s reply, Achumbemo Kikon pointed out that the phrase “Disturbed Area Belt” was incorrectly mentioned in place of “Disputed Area Belt.” He emphasized that the Assam-Nagaland boundary dispute is not a recent issue but dates back to the colonial era, and after India getting independent, and the creation of Nagaland State.
Kikon reminded the House that Clause 12 of the 16-Point Agreement clearly recommended the amalgamation of contiguous Naga areas and forests into the Naga homeland, but this was never implemented by the Government of India and Assam.
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He said the failure to honour these commitments continues to cause apprehensions among political negotiators today about the sincerity of Government of India when they cannot even fully execute what has been fully agreed upon in the 16-Point Agreement.
He further cited the 1965 Agreement between Assam Chief Minister Bimala Prasad Chaliha and Nagaland Chief Minister, P Shilu Ao to stop eviction operations, but now it is happening in the Reserve Forest again. History is repeating itself, he said.
He went on to cite a 1970 letter by then Chief Minister Hokishe Sema to Prime Minister Indira Gandhi, wherein Sema reiterated that Nagaland rejected the 1925 boundary demarcation. He read out a paragraph related to this issue which reads, “Being aware of these facts, the Naga delegation, which negotiated the 1960 New Delhi Agreement, refused to accept the 1925 disputed district boundaries, as the boundary for the new state and insisted on a proper boundary for Nagaland , which incorporated all the alienated areas . “
He said, “Assam Government is still claiming that 1925 is the one and only boundary between Assam and Nagaland, whereas we said no, not today, but from 1960 when our leaders were negotiating for the creation of the state, the Government of India considered it more expedient to reach and immediate settlement to meet the law and order situation.”
He further said Naga delegation was requested to accept statehood first, after which the relevant clauses of the Constitution would come into operation, to allow the corner of India to take steps for changes in the inter-state boundaries.
“My concern is, now, in the reply to my query, Deputy CM has stated that there are eight villages in Wokha district and six villages under Niuland districts have been affected during the course of the eviction,” he said.
On learning that Nagaland Government was consulted during the eviction drive, Kikon said because this area was declared as disputed area, Assam Government cannot take unilateral decision to evict illegal immigrants.
He accused Assam of settling illegal immigrants in disputed reserve forests, pointing out that major townships such as Uriamghat and Sarupathar were established in the Rengma Reserve Forest.
“Then when our Naga villages establish, cultivate a land, they are accusing us that we are encroaching in the reserve forest. What is the justification? Where is the justification? They have created a very big big township, forget about villages,” he asked.
He also questioned Deputy Chief Minister, in-charge of home and border affairs on this issue and demanded immediate establishment of permanent police outposts at Chichamben (Sector C) and Lio Longchum (Sector D) under the Rengma Reserve Forest.
Expressing concern over Assam’s Cabinet decision to issue gun licences to residents of “remote, vulnerable and border areas,” Kikon questioned its implications on the Assam-Nagaland boundary. He also urged restoration of electricity supply to villages affected by eviction drives and pressed for implementation of the 2010 Cabinet decision on creating Village Guards along the border.
“If this can be implemented, that since cabinet has taken a decision already for the creation of Village guards in these border areas and I have been also informed that sometime in 2021, Ao Senden has submitted a very strong representation after this passing of this resolution by the cabinet,” he said
However, he said not action has been taken at the moment and appealed to the leader of the House, Chief Minister to highlight what has taken place so far and if this can be immediately taken up in recruiting Village Guard to ease tension.
“This is an oil belt and natural resource area. Assam is interested in taking over after eviction. While we may cooperate in removing illegal immigrants, the land issue must be settled based on historical records,” he asserted.
Deputy CM and Home Minister Y Patton, while responding, clarified that Assam’s arms licence policy would not be applicable along its borders with Nagaland, Arunachal, Meghalaya or Mizoram.
He said the matter should not create apprehension in the minds of anyone and in case there are some further development in this issue, that would be looked into and if needed taken up with Assam Government along with appropriate action.
On the demand for police outposts, Patton said that though the Disputed Area Belt (DAB) requires status quo to be maintained, the government would examine requirements in Wokha, Niuland, Peren, Dimapur, Mokokchung, Longleng and other districts. “Wherever it is required, we will examine the same and take appropriate action on this,” he added.
Minister for PHE Jacob Zhimomi supplemented the debate by flagging serious anomalies in GIS mapping. He said 100% of Niuland district and most of Dimapur district appear under Assam in Google mapping, while more than 50% of Chümoukedima is shown under Assam. The department responsible for this should correct it as it is terribly wrong, he said, adding they are claiming till hills, Patkai hills.
Zhimomi further highlighted that Assam forest guards were operating in uniforms similar to police. He suggested that Nagaland could also adopt the nomenclature of “Nagaland Forest Police” to prevent disputes. He also reminded that under the 1972 agreement, Assam was supposed to withdraw its forces after eviction drives, but has not done so.
DY CM Y Patton in his reply stated that in regards to Village Guards, the Nagaland Village Guards Organisation as of now comes under the purview of Ministry of Home Affairs and the Organization has been raised in those villages of the districts Nagaland bordering Myanmar and for specific purposes.
As suggested to raise the Village Guards for taking up other kinds of duties the matter requires further detailed deliberation and examination at various level, he stated.
