LLRPO alleges village council leaders were assaulted during fresh confrontations at Negheribil, urging arrests and measures to prevent escalation
WOKHA — The Lotha Lower Range Public Organisation (LLRPO) has condemned the alleged assault of village council members from Longayim and Longchum during confrontations at Negheribil, a disputed area along the Assam–Nagaland border.
According to LLRPO joint secretary Zathungo Yanthan, the first incident occurred on Tuesday evening when members of the Longayim Village Council were returning after collecting rubber saplings from the Rubber Board of India for distribution among villagers.
The route passes through Negheribil, where a barricade had reportedly been erected by the Assam Forest Department in connection with an eviction order against 59 families at Negheribil-2, Merapani.
Yanthan said police stopped the vehicle carrying the council members and restricted their movement. While discussions were underway, a crowd gathered and a scuffle broke out.
Related: ‘Act now’: LLRPO urges Nagaland government over August 18 border eviction
The situation was brought under control following intervention by police personnel, civil administration officials and border magistrates from Assam and Nagaland, after which the council members were allowed to proceed, he said.
On Wednesday, Wokha Deputy Commissioner and Superintendent of Police visited the disputed area for an on-the-spot assessment and invited LLRPO representatives to accompany them.
Yanthan said that while travelling to the area, he encountered another confrontation at the same location, where he estimated that around 200–300 people from Assam had gathered and were restricting movement.
Also read: SIR must not become ‘intensive exclusion’ — NBCC
He alleged that the chairmen of the Longayim and Longchum village councils, who arrived on two-wheelers, were attacked after sounding their horns to clear the blocked road. Police personnel intervened to control the situation, he said.
Yanthan further alleged that the crowd accused him of having been present during the previous day's incident before physically assaulting him and taking away his mobile phone.
The LLRPO joint secretary described the alleged assault as “unwarranted” and demanded that those involved be identified and arrested.
He urged the authorities to take immediate measures to prevent further escalation and ensure the safety and free movement of people in the disputed area.
JOIN OUR WHATSAPP CHANNEL