Nagaland border villages raise concerns over alleged assaults, blockade and encroachment at Negheribil, urging dialogue to prevent escalation.
WOKHA — Village councils from three Nagaland border villages have raised concerns over alleged assaults, movement restrictions and a road blockade following recent confrontations at Negheribil, warning that the situation could escalate if left unaddressed.
Representatives of Longayim, Mekirang and Longchum villages addressed a press conference at Bhandari on the night of August 27, highlighting the difficulties faced by residents along the Assam-Nagaland border.
Longayim Village Council chairman Wochothung recounted the incidents of August 25 and 26, alleging that council members were physically assaulted by a mob at Negheribil while transporting rubber saplings received from the Rubber Board of India.
He also raised concerns over recurring movement restrictions caused by barricades along the route and appealed to the Assam Forest Department to remove them.
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Wochothung further alleged that certain Assam-based media reports had misrepresented the incidents and urged responsible reporting to prevent further escalation of tensions.
He said the road connecting Longayim, Mekirang and Longchum to the highway had since been blocked from the Assam side, severely affecting the movement of residents.
Although an alternate foothill road exists, he said it remains non-motorable because of limited resources. He appealed to the Nagaland government to intervene and make the route serviceable.
Wochothung also alleged encroachment at Negheribil-2, claiming that the area traditionally belonged to Naga forefathers and that encroachment had contributed to recurring disputes.
Mekirang Village Council chairman Sorenthung Lotha said the alleged blockade had disrupted movement and strained relations with neighbouring Merie village, with which residents had maintained cordial ties.
He urged both sides to resolve the matter through dialogue and appealed to the Nagaland government to improve the 5.5-km stretch from the Merapani foothill area to Mekirang, suggesting that the road be at least chip-sealed to ensure connectivity.
He further alleged encroachment on portions of an agricultural link road and called for joint action byAssam and Nagaland authorities over settlements in forest reserve areas.
Village council member Chumdemo N Jami warned that tensions could escalate if the situation was not addressed.
He urged Nagaland government to engage with Assam through dialogue to maintain peace and cordial relations among communities along the border.