Staff Reporter
DIMAPUR, AUGUST 13
THE situation in Ralan area under Wokha district bordering Assam continued to remain tense with gunshots and burning of houses reported from the area on Wednesday. The administration of both Nagaland and Assam imposed Section 144 CrPC in two districts of Golaghat (Assam) and Wokha (Nagaland) along the border with immediate effect from 6 pm to 6 am till situation returns to normal.
Around 100 houses belonging to Adivasi tenants of old Ralan, Chandalashung ‘A’ ‘B’ and Yangpha were reportedly burned down today. Late in the evening, gunshots were said to have been fired.
When contacted to Old Ralan village chairman said the burned houses belonged to the Adivasi Maoists. He said the operation was carried out to flush out Maoists from the area who have been creating nuisance among the Adivasis and locals of Ralan.
Around 4 pm, a joint coordination meeting between the Nagaland and Assam police and administration was held at Rengmapani CRPF outpost. Locals of Old Ralan have also appealed for peace in the area. Assam Parliamentary Secretary for Home Atuwa Munda and Nagaland Parliamentary Secretary for Border Affairs Thomas Lotha visited the area in the evening today.
Commuters from Mon and Mokokchung districts travelling through Assam were halted along Golaghat Road in Assam by agitators for some hours. They were later asked to take the Kaziranga-Manja road. However, no untoward incident was reported.
The situation though tense is stated to be under control. Dimapur district administration deployed IRB personnel in Ralan area today to maintain law and order in the Disturb Area Belt (DAB). Armed forces of IRB and Nagaland Police have been stationed along the DAB to diffuse the situation within Nagaland boundary and CRPF within the Assam boundary.
Exercise maximum restraint: HM
HOME Minister Y Patton has appealed to the people of border areas, especially Ralan area, to exercise maximum restraint so as to bring back normalcy in the area.
Patton said since there is a mediator appointed by the Supreme Court of India to amicably settle the border issue between Nagaland and Assam, everyone should cooperate in maintaining peaceful atmosphere in the border areas so as to facilitate acceptable solution for both the states.
“I appeal to the people of Wokha district especially the Ralan area to remain calm as the government of Nagaland is fully aware of the gravity of the situation,” Patton said in a statement today. He also asserted that the government will not shy away from its responsibility in protecting the lives and properties of the villagers in the border areas.
Informing that the government of Nagaland is fully in touch with the government of India to tackle the situation in a more befitting manner, the Home Minister assured that the government will do whatever it can within its disposal to resolve the present crisis.
Noting that the August 12 incident at Ralan area is a reminder for both the states of Assam and Nagaland as to how much damage the illegal immigrants could do to the people of the two states, Patton said despite continuous provocation, the villagers of Ralan area have been restraining themselves all through these years. However, the surprise attack by a huge number of Adivasis along with their militant wing (the so-called ALNA) on the villagers of Ronsu Yan and some other adjoining villages in Ralan area has compelled the villagers of Ralan area to retaliate the onslaught of the Adivasis as an act of self-defence, he said.
Also, stating that there are many instances in the past where illegal immigrants mainly Adivasis and Bangladeshis had created havoc in the Assam-Nagaland border areas, the Home Minister said the Nagaland government has been closely monitoring the situation by showing patience which should not be misconstrued as mute spectator.
“Assam Government should now realise that it is not the Nagas who provoke the situation but it is the illegal immigrants who create tension in the Assam-Nagaland borders which needs to be condemned by one and all,” Patton added.
Rio appeals for calm and peace
CONDEMNING the incidents violence in Assam-Nagaland border, Lok Sabha MP Neiphiu Rio has termed the flare up as unfortunate. He appealed to all sections of people on both sides of the border to maintain calm and good neighbourly relations and shun all forms of violence.
Rio also appealed to all sections of people and civil societies to create a congenial atmosphere for peaceful resolution of the border dispute with understanding and unity. The former Nagaland chief minister further appealed to the Union government to take steps to resolve the pending disputes and bring about an acceptable solution which will create peace amongst the neighbouring states.
Stating that violence of any nature needs to be condemned by one and all, Rio said the Assam-Nagaland border dispute has remained unresolved for decades and the case is also pending in the Supreme Court. He said though the government of India has instituted mediators to resolve the issue, there has been no resolution till date.
Naga Hoho condemns provocation
THE Naga Hoho Federal Assembly has condemned the actions and continuous provocations by the Adivasis and illegal immigrants in the Assam-Nagaland border areas. The peaceful co-existence between neighbours, the Karbis, Ahoms and Nagas has been threatened by these immigrants, Naga Hoho Assembly Secretary K. Elu Ndang said in a release today.
The Hoho demanded that the government of Assam must stop pushing immigrants to the border areas and must not protect those immigrants.
“The Assam government must not remain complacent towards the illegal migrants but act with stringent laws in the interest of both the states,” it said.
The Hoho further said the so-called ‘Neutral Force’ stationed in the Disturb Area Belt has miserably failed to deliver justice and confidence to the people and as such it needs a fresh look into the border areas by the authority concerned.
The Naga Hoho also urged the governments of Assam and Nagaland to defuse the situation in Ralan area and bring about normalcy in the border areas.
It further appealed to Assam civil societies to intervene and bring about better understanding, confidence and trust amongst the people.
The Naga Hoho Federal Assembly also seriously viewed the unwarranted actions by the government of Manipur and for creating war-like situations in Ukhrul town by imposing Section 144CrPC. The innocent public has been left at the mercy of the armed forces who are creating fear psychosis, it stated.
While the Naga people are engaged in peace dialogue, the government of Manipur has repeatedly denied the existence of a ceasefire and continues to exploit the rights of the people and suppress the aspirations of the people.
