Border districts in Nagaland step up vigilance amid fears of influx following Assam evictions

DIMAPUR — With reports of alleged illegal immigrants, believed to have been evicted from Assam, attempting to enter Nagaland, multiple districts sharing boundaries with Assam have initiated heightened surveillance and preventive measures to block any unauthorised entry into the state.

In Mon district, the Konyak Students’ Union (KSU) has deployed volunteers at key entry points.

Speaking to this newspaper on Wednesday, KSU president Temwang Konyak said directives have been issued to federating units, especially in the Tizit and Naginimora areas and those stationed at Namsa and Naginimora gates, to deploy 100 volunteers daily at each entry point.

According to Konyak, villages under Tizit and Naginimora share borders with Assam—approximately four under Tizit and five under Naginimora.

The volunteers are tasked with checking all non-local entrants into Mon to ensure they possess valid Inner Line Permits (ILPs) and supporting documentation. Individuals without valid papers are to be deported immediately, he added.

Related: Niuland turns back 200 vehicles carrying evicted individuals from Assam

On Wednesday, the student body also advised members of the Muslim and Hindu communities in Mon not to accommodate any new arrivals without verification. Additionally, the KSU has appealed to the district administration to suspend the ILP registration process for at least a month to allow for stricter scrutiny and prevent unchecked influx.

The KSU president affirmed that the exercise to prevent the entry of illegal immigrants will be strictly monitored and that strict compliance is expected from all units and concerned parties in the interest of safeguarding indigenous rights and the security of the district.

In Longleng district, the deputy commissioner issued a public notice on Wednesday cautioning residents, especially those in border villages, to remain vigilant and report any suspicious movements or unknown individuals to the nearest administrative or police authority.

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This measure, it emphasised, is crucial for maintaining public order and safeguarding the demographic integrity and security of the district and state at large.

The Phom Students’ Conference (PSC) also confirmed that its federating units in border areas such as Ladigarh, Shetap, and Yonglok have been directed to monitor entry points. PSC president C Sham-e Phom warned that any undocumented individuals found entering the district would be deported.

Meanwhile, the Chümoukedima district administration issued instructions to administrative officers in Medziphema, Dhansiripar, and Seithekema subdivisions, as well as executive officers of Chümoukedima and Medziphema town councils, to remain vigilant. All village and town councils have been directed to stay informed and report any suspected illegal entries in their jurisdictions.

“All village councils and town councils are to be apprised about the prevailing situation and to be proactive in reporting suspicious instances and cases of illegal entry of individuals and groups into the district,” stated the Chümoukedima administration’s notice.

Also read: Dimapur Naga Students’ Union urges vigilance amid concerns over influx of displaced persons from Assam