Naga border villages protest resettlement of ‘doubtfull citizens’

Staff Reporter
DIMAPUR, SEPTEMBER 13

THE Ralan Area Lotha Hoho (RALH) on Saturday organized a peace rally in Tongtongo Lanrhyu, in old Ralan to draw the attention of all state and civil stakeholders to the resettlement of Adivasi people in the Assam-Nagaland border. The resettlement of illegal settlers comes in the aftermath of the Assam-Nagaland border row.
The rally was also organized in demand of immediate withdrawal of all Assam police post at the B-C sector of the border under Ralan area.
While insisting immediate flush out of Maoists, who are allegedly operating or taking shelter under the banner of the so-called All Adivasi National Liberation Army (AANLA), the Naga organization has demanded deployment of Sashastra Seema Bal (SSB)/IRB in displaced Lotha Naga villages like Wochan, Tchuujanphen, S Wochan and Yanlum.
“The border issue is not an individual issue of Lothas but it is an issue of whole Nagas”, said Central Naga Tribal Council (CNTC) President H Yeptho, while lamenting that the state government has not done anything even after eight agreements that has been signed between Nagaland and Assam since 1972.
The disputed land does not belong to anyone but the Nagas, the leader said. He pointed out that the ‘border row’ actually evolved since 1955 to 65 as Nagas have been “busy fighting for sovereignty.” Yeptho further said the circumstances leading to the dispute were not created by Ahoms, but by outsiders.
Also speaking at the rally, Nripemo, General Secretary of Nagaland Tribal Council (NTC) said, the present state of affairs is not a border dispute but a problem between tenants (Adivasis) and land owners (Lothas). And the government of Assam is putting the fuel on the issue, he added. He also alleged that the national TV news channels which were showing the images of armed Naga militants at the disputed site in recent Assam-Nagaland border dispute were actually archive footage of Bodo militants from Bodoland.
NTC also questioned the logic of news channels flashing news that more than a thousand refuges are placed in relief camps where only 40-50 houses were burnt. This would tantamount to atleast 20 persons living in a house!
He further alleged Assam government of using Adavisis as a ‘human shell’ to capture Nagas’ territories.
NTC was critical of the recent proposal to the Centre to introduce a Line of Control along Nagaland-Assam border by the state Chief Minister. It asked where the state government will keep the line of control.
Representing Naga Students Federation (NSF) its Assistance General Secretary Christopher Ltu said the students’ body will not remain mute spectators when Nagas territory is taken by outsiders.
Earlier delivering his welcome notes, RALH chairman Hayithung Kikon said the rally is not to incite violence but rather an attempt to achieve peace and harmony in the area.
“We would like to convey a message to our Ahoms brothers that we are not fighting against Ahoms rather we are still maintaining the traditional age old relationship between the Ahoms and Nagas”, he said and called upon Ahoms to join hands to eradicate the ‘dangerous elements’ who are attempting to create disunity.
RALH has urged the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) to place neutral Forces under the direct command of MHA, and review the Interim Agreement of 1972, 1979 and 1985.

RALH’s 4 point memorandum 

1. To stop forceful resettlement of the Adivasi (Tenant) in the area.
2. To withdraw all the Assam Police Post/Camp at B’:C sector under Ralan area and withdrawal of the same within 48th Hours. (Location of new AP Post/camp at B-sector in Ralan area enclosed).
3. Immediate flushing out of Maoist (operating or taking shelter under the shadows/banners of AANLA in Ralan area) from Ralan area.
4. Immediate deployment of SSB/IRP at the displaced Lotha Naga Villages like Wochan, Tchujanphen, S. Wochan and Yanlam.

One woman protestor injured

HOWEVER the peaceful rally that ended at 1:30 pm was marred by an incident at Chandalshung village. Here at around 3pm one Benrilo, wife of one Lamhe Odyou was seriously injured as woman protestors attempted to prevent the entry of around twenty vehicles of Assam Police led by IGP Assam.
At the time of filing this report the reason for protesting the entry of the Assam Police vehicles by villagers could not be established.
The Lotha Hoho has condemned the incident and also added that after the incident the Assam Police official held a meeting of sorts at Ronsuyam village in presence of some government officials form Nagaland along with only a few effected Lotha Naga Village Council Chairmen and GBs, the Hoho said.