Wokha DC meets villagers, reviews situation after DAB eviction drive

DIMAPUR — Following the recent joint eviction drive carried out by Assam and Nagaland in the Disputed Area Belt (DAB), Deputy Commissioner of Wokha, Vineet Kumar, convened a meeting with security and administrative officials along with community representatives to assess the situation and address concerns raised by villagers.

The meeting, held on Thursday at Ralan Area Lotha Hoho Community Hall, was attended by Superintendent of Police Relo Aye, ADC Bhandari, SDPO Bhandari, Border Magistrates of Merapani and Uriamghat, Tsenthungo Ngullie, and leaders of the Ralan Area Lotha Hoho and Yanthamo Area Public Organisation.

Following the meeting, Kumar and the accompanying officials visited the eviction sites at Bidyapur (Liphanyan village) and Tchujanphen village to take stock of the ground situation.

Also read: Nagaland, Assam agree on joint measures in Disputed Area Belt

Speaking to media persons, the deputy commissioner said the meeting had provided an opportunity to hear the concerns of affected villagers. He noted that several issues that had arisen over the past two to three days had already been taken up with the government of Assam and that villagers were briefed on the measures being initiated by the administration.

On the question of security deployment and concerns that Assam had more personnel deployed, Kumar maintained that sufficient personnel were already stationed in the affected areas. However, acknowledging villagers’ concerns, he assured them that additional reinforcements would be sent, with some forces arriving on Thursday and others to follow.

Asked about plantation activities and the erection of fencing and pillars reportedly carried out by the Assam government at Bidyapur, Kumar emphasised that plantation works in the disputed area must be undertaken jointly by both governments. He further stated that the matter of fencing and pillars had already been taken up with the government of Assam and the deputy commissioner of Golaghat, and that further discussions would be held to decide the way forward.

 He also mentioned that the Nagaland chief secretary had issued a communiqué stating that all activities in the DAB, including plantation, will be undertaken jointly by the two states.

On the recent commotion at Tchujanphen village, Kumar said the Wokha administration had not received information regarding the cutting of plantation trees, which allegedly led to the scuffle. He added that the matter had been handled by the border magistrate and that the situation had since returned to normal.

Appealing to the people of Nagaland to maintain calm, Kumar assured them that the area in question was a DAB and that its status would not change irrespective of eviction drives. He reminded them that land claims were before the Supreme Court and urged the people not to worry about it and to uphold peace along the border.

The DC added that grievances raised by villagers were being addressed by the administration in coordination with their counterparts in Golaghat and Niuland.

On reports of a joint plantation drive by Assam and Nagaland scheduled for August 23, Kumar said they had received preliminary information about a possible visit by Nagaland Deputy Chief Minister Y Patton, though it had not yet been confirmed.