Miscreants burn Naga villagers’ jhum land

Mokokchung, March 9 (EMN): Unknown miscreants from Nagaland-Assam border allegedly set on fire a plot of partially-cultivated jhum land in Aosenden village under Tzurangkong range of Mokokchung district on March 8.

A press release received here from Aosenden Village Council on Thursday stated that the villagers began their jhum cultivation from February 6 by clearing the forest.

However, the council alleged that on February 8, some media personnel, along with Forest department and Assam Police came to the spot and harassed the villagers working in the field and even took away a car that belonged to the villagers.

In this regard, the Border Magistrate, Tzurangkong and his counterpart had a meeting at Chungtiayimsen village on February 13 where it was verbally agreed to “go ahead” with the cultivation since it is the only source of livelihood for the villagers.

As per the minutes of the meeting held at Chungtiayimsen, “the Assam side alleged cutting of trees and bamboo by Aosenden villagers at Desoi Reserve forest. The Border magistrate Tzurangkong highlighted the interim agreement made in 1972 between Assam and Nagaland.

“The Assam Government however agrees that Naga settlements in the Desoi Reserved forest existing on the date of this agreement will not be distributed,” read the statement.

The Border Magistrate clarified that the “allegations raised by Assam side falls under the cultivation area of Aosenden village and therefore should be allowed to cultivate without any disturbance.”

The Council further stated that as agreed upon, the villagers resumed their work from March 6.

“However, on March 8, 2023 around 17:30 hours some suspected miscreants from the Assam border side came to the spot and kindled fire before the completion of jungle clearance and accruing interruption in the series of cultivation,”  they alleged.

The Aosenden Village Council also placed on record that “the Aosenden villagers have been cultivating at the same area for the third time (a rotation basis practice in jhum cultivation cycle).

“Yet, this time, the intervention from the Assam side extended beyond and they keep vigilance by patrolling every day,” it stated.

In this connection, they appealed to the concerned authority to look into the matter and take necessary action at the earliest so that the villagers can start their cultivation process at the right season without delay.