Lotha Students' Union rejects Assam's claim on disputed land
The Lotha Students' Union has rejected the claim reportedly made by the All Assam Students' Union that the disputed Ralan-Uriamghat area belongs to Assam
- DIMAPUR — The
Lotha Students' Union (LSU) has rejected the claim reportedly made by the All
Assam Students' Union (AASU) that the disputed Ralan-Uriamghat area belongs to
Assam.
- In a press release issued on Saturday, the union stated that
the area falls under Wochan and Lishayan villages in Wokha district and vice
Khuraghat and Haldhibari in Golaghat district, Assam.
- “As such, the matter has been filed in the Supreme Court,
and the case is being discussed in the court for proper boundary demarcation,
and likewise, the favour may be placed in either way, but until then, the LSU
appeals to any individual or union to stop from commenting one-sided opinions.
- “The two neighbouring states have a long-standing border
dispute, and the concerned Oil and Natural Gas Cooperation (ONGC) drilling
activities were taking place in the above-cited DAB area,” it stated.
- According to the LSU, consent should be obtained from both
parties for any exploration or development in the area, and it should be
carried out under the watchful eye of the neutral forces, i.e., CRPF.
- However, it stated, neither the ONGC nor the Assam
government had sought consent from the Nagaland government or the landowners,
“which led to further escalation, threatening the interest of the common people
residing in the area.”
- “The LSU also condemns the action of the ONGC and demands
that all developmental actions taking place in the area without the consent of
the concerned parties be halted immediately, and necessary steps for the
pursuance of the matter should be taken into account in the interest of both
parties.
- “In the meantime, the LSU acknowledges the effort of the
Border Magistrate, Ralan, GoN, and supports his immediate action to curb the
situation. And further urges the government of Nagaland to take up the issue on
a serious note and bring about necessary modalities to control such incidents
in the coming future,” it added.
