Karbi civil organisations allege land encroachment from Nagaland

Our Correspondent

Diphu, Sep. 14 (EMN): Large-scale encroachment has allegedly started along the Assam-Nagaland inter-state boundary as encroachers from Nagaland have cleared jungles and constructed houses at Toraibari near Nowgaon Basti between Rangapahar and Kasiram Border Outpost (BOP) inside Daldali reserve forest of Karbi Anglong, according to Karbi civil organisations.

A complaint letter by All Dimasa Students’ Union (ADSU), Karbi Anglong District Committee(KADC), Dimasa Khunang Hossom and SGB of Nowgaon Bosti was submitted to the Deputy Commissioner, Karbi Anglong, Dibakar Nath, on Wednesday stating that fresh encroachment activities had started inside Doldali reserve forest.

“At Toraibari near Nowgaon Basti the encroachers from Nagaland have cleared the jungles and constructed huts, dwelling houses and tree houses.

“The encroachers have erected electric posts for extension of electric connection from the nearest town Dimapur. So far they have completed erecting electric posts of 2 km inside Doldoli reserve forest,” the letter stated.

“Motorable roads passing in front of Kasiram BOP have been constructed. There are threats to villagers of Dikhangsi by encroachers forcing them to leave the place”, it read.

President, ADSU, KADC, Pabitra Nunisa, told journalists that extensive encroachment of forest land by encroachers from Nagaland had started.

Around 13 to 14 km from Dimapur to Toraibari area is connected with motorable roads and encroachers are using giant machines like earthmovers and excavators for clearing the jungles and constructing roads, he alleged.

Despite the repeated pleas and submission of memorandums by ADSU, KSA and AJYCP to flush out encroachers from forest land, the Assam government and Karbi Anglong Autonomous Council authority make no effort on it, the ADSU president said.

“Now the Assam government as well as the KAAC authority should take up immediate steps to evict the encroachers mercilessly destroying the forest land”, Nunisa added.