Our Correspondent
Mokokchung, July 30 (EMN): The deputy chief minister of Nagaland, Y Patton on Friday said that both Nagaland and Assam states have agreed in principle to withdraw their respective police forces from the outposts in the border area.
Patton, who is also the Home minister, visited the border areas under Mokokchung district amid reports of tensions prevailing in Nagaland-Assam border belt due to the presence of police forces from the two states.
The deputy chief minister, who was accompanied by Nagaland DGP T John Longkumer, IG (Range) Limasunep Jamir, Commissioner of Nagaland Rovilatuo Mor, Additional Secretary Border Affairs, DIG Range, Mokokchung district administration and Police officials, also had a meeting with the leaders of Ao Senden, Tzürangkong Union, Northern Sumi Union and Tzürangkong Naga Youth Front at Chungtiayimsen in Mokokchung district.
He told the house that the chief ministers of Nagaland and Assam have had an interaction regarding the border issue and had agreed in principle to withdraw their security forces at Vikuto and Aosenden jurisdiction under Tzürangkong range to maintain a peaceful atmosphere.
However, he stated that Nagaland State police will not withdraw from their outpost unless and until Assam police withdraw from their outpost. He also urged the public to ponder on whether withdrawal of police forces is beneficial for the state. “We should have a second thought,” he said.
Lamenting that the Agreement of 1972 has trapped Nagaland, he said as per the agreement, both States agreed to withdraw its police forces from the border areas but Assam did not withdraw its forces and increased their number of outposts whereas Nagaland withdrew its forces.
In this regard, he said that “we will not make the mistake again”, adding that ‘we will set up outposts according to the number of Assam’s outposts in the border area’.
He also suggested that the north-eastern states that have border issues with Assam should jointly submit a written appeal to the Assam government regarding the matter.
While requesting the people not to take law into their own hands but to approach the state government and work together to solve the issue, Patton also stated that “one should not test the patience of the government of Nagaland or the Naga people”.
He said that the border issue has been taken up at the highest level for peaceful resolution.
The deputy CM went on to inform that the state government is planning to make the foothill road operational at least in off-road condition. He however said that the problem lies with the Doyang Bridge which is taking time.
Meanwhile, John Longkumer said that the interaction between the CMs of the two states was only the first step, saying that the second level meeting will be held between Assam and Nagaland at the chief secretary and DGP level, and then at the chief minister level.
‘It is a layer approach, stage by stage to hammer out an amicable solution to the border issue between Assam and Nagaland,’ he asserted.
He lauded the people in Tzürangkong range for not taking the matter into their own hands and worsening the situation. He further stated that he had spoken with his counterpart in Assam on the issue of withdrawing forces along the disputed area.
Rovilatuo Mor told the house that the difficulty faced by the people due to economic blockade and harassment had being taken up at the chief secretary level of both the state and the government machinery are working towards resolving the issues amicably. He also reiterated that physical confrontation should be avoided at any cost.
Others who spoke at the meeting included Advisor Dr. Longrineken, DC and SP Mokokchung, and presidents of Ao Senden and Tzurangkong Union.
Earlier in the day, Patton along with the DGP, Commissioner of Nagaland, IGP (Range) and Joint Secretary Border Affairs made an aerial survey of Vikuto and Aosenden village.