RPP demands govt. to withdraw 1972 interim agreement

Our Reporter
Dimapur, July 28 (EMN): Terming the interim agreement made in 1972 as an impediment towards resolving the border issue with neighbouring Assam state, the nascent political party under the banner of Rising People’s Party (RPP) has demanded the government to withdraw from the agreement so that the demarcated disturbed area belt (DAB) is nullified and also enabled the state government to exert its administrative control over the border areas.

This was conveyed by RPP president, Joel Naga, during a press conference on Thursday. Joel informed that the RPP team visited the Ralan area to oversee construction of foothill road and bridges along the border areas. He informed that the team had interacted with the public leaders of Ralan areas on their grievances.

Joel claimed that the people living in the border areas were left orphaned as they have been neglected and also expressed dissatisfaction with the government. He has quoted the public leaders accusing the state government of not doing ‘anything’ for the Naga people living in the border areas.

The party informed that the Assam government has been ‘very pro-active’ by constructing roads and schools on the Assam side of the DAB, while there has been no visible activity on the Nagaland side. The party was also informed by the Nagas living in the border areas that Assam police and CRPF have become ‘aggressive’ and they are not even able to cultivate the paddy fields under DAB.

Joel also shared that people in Tsurankong have felt the need for the foothill road at the earliest as the state government has been neglecting the issue. He stated that the foothill road project should be supported by everyone irrespective of tribe or region. He reminded that the tribal hohos together with the state government would ensure to complete the foothill road project on top priority.

During a visit to the bridge over Doyang river, the party found that around 400 feet of the bridge was yet to be completed. In this regard, RPP has demanded to immediately complete the bridge over Doyang River.

Also speaking in the press conference, RPP working group member, Hukavi T Yepthomi, demanded that the 1971 North East States Reorganisation Act should be re-visited. Hukavi was of the opinion that the present boundary of the Northeastern states would continue to remain dormant unless the act is amended. He expressed that the government of India review and enact the act.

“The RPP is projecting to work in co-ordination with the likeminded states of NE in particular so that together we can move the government of India to review the 1971 NE States Reorganisation Act so that the boundary issue which all the states are having with Assam can be resolved,” he stated.

Regarding the statement of Assam chief minister to deploy 4000 commandos in the border areas, the RPP felt that it was not a time for him to make such a belligerent statement.

In conclusion, Joel remarked that this is time for all the NE states to come together and solve the issue through dialogue. As DAB runs all the way from Peren till Mon district, Joel felt that it is time for all the Naga tribes and the state government to come together and tackle the issue as a state problem.