Border dispute erupts in Longtsiri village

WOKHA — The residents of Longtsiri village under Wokha district and Assam Police got into verbal confrontation on May 2 at around 5 pm when the latter intruded into the village and asked to stop construction works claiming that the land fell under the dispute area belt (DAB).

A delayed report stated that Assam Police numbering about seven with semi-automatic weapons intruded into the Lotha Naga settlement on that day and ordered to stop construction of a building claiming that it fell under the dispute area belt.

Meanwhile, the residents of Longtsiri village claimed that the land belonged to the Lotha Naga since the time of their ancestors. The residents warned that they would not be held responsible for any action in the event of any such intrusion into their jurisdiction without valid reason from the Assam government.

The residents have also appealed to the state government to give priority on the Nagaland foothill road. They pointed out that there is no road for the people in border areas at present and had to rely on Assam for connectivity.

The gaonbura (GB) of Longtsiri village, M Kithan, informed this report that such cases occasional happened in many Lotha villages along the Assam border. He appealed to the state government to remain vigilant.

It may be mentioned that border issue is not uncommon to the people of Lotha people, who share the longest border with Assam. Constant issues ranging from road and building construction to farming have become a stumbling block to the residents and pose a challenge to their peaceful livelihood.