Border row: Nagaland government condemns Assam’s alleged encroachment

KOHIMA — Nagaland government has expressed strong objections to the allegations of encroachment by Assam government into Nagaland’s reserve forest area, specifically in the Tuli area of Mokokchung district.

During a press interaction following a Cabinet meeting on Wednesday, Nagaland ministers and government spokespersons, KG Kenye and CL John, highlighted discrepancies in a recent letter from the Assam Chief Minister to his Nagaland counterpart. The letter, also sent to the Ministry of Home Affairs, reportedly mentioned a location situated at the tri-junction of Assam, Arunachal Pradesh, and Nagaland, approximately 400 kilometres away from the disputed area.

This reserve forest area, according to Kenye, falls within Nagaland’s boundary and lies within the Disputed Area Belt (DAB). He further alleged that Assam has established paramilitary training camps and stationed commandos within this region.

“We have raised very strong objections. We don’t know what is going behind the scene in their territory side, but this has not gone down well with us and our people,” he asserted.

Nagaland government is taking the matter seriously and plans to write to both the Ministry of Forests and the Ministry of Home Affairs, he said, adding that a physical site verification led by a high-ranking state official is also planned.

Kenye reiterated Chief Minister Neiphiu Rio’s commitment to resolving border disputes through dialogue outside the court, urging patience as the state government takes further steps. He shared that the Ao Senden, an apex body representing the Ao tribe whose land is affected, has been included in these discussions due to the traditional significance of the disputed boundary.

“On the other side, I don’t know how far they (Assam) have supported, but we are serious about it. So when we are trying to find a solution outside of the court, I think that should be appreciated by them also. So we expected that they would wait for such a settlement and only take initiatives later on the ground. But unexpectedly, we were taken by surprise,” he remarked.

It is worth noting that Nagaland’s Deputy Chief Minister Y Patton, who is in charge of Home Affairs, recently visited the site to assess the situation firsthand.