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Our Correspondent
Kohima, Feb. 19 (EMN): The department of Border Affairs on Friday informed that border issues, both inter-state and international have been peaceful with no untoward incident till date.
It informed that the department currently confined to Assam-Nagaland boundary issue, which is subjudiced in the Supreme Court of India on the basis of a civil suit filed by the government of Assam in the year 1988.
“Several attempts have been made by the Supreme Court of India to settle the border dispute by appointing local commission to identify the boundary and also by appointing co-mediators to resolve the boundary dispute amicably through mediations,” the department stated in its annual administrative report for 2020-’21 which was presented on day-5 of the ongoing 7th session of the 13th Assembly in Kohima on Friday.
However, the department Border Affairs maintained that efforts of the Supreme Court has failed and ordered both the parties to file their respective witness and to start the process of cross- examination.
“Accordingly, both the parties have filed their list of witnesses and the cross-examination has commenced from September 2015,” the report stated, adding “The cross-examination of witness from Assam is completed and presently cross-examination of the representative of Survey General of India is going on”.
“The witnesses from Nagaland would be cross-examined,” it informed, adding that altogether, 44 affidavit of witnesses for the state have been filed in the Supreme Court.
It went on to apprise that during the year, the department officials had provided district-wise orientation to all the field level officers and witnesses. “Towards this end, a sum of INR 135 lakh had been incurred for payment of legal fee to advocates and Supreme Court related expenditure during current financial year 2020 -2021,” the report stated.
Meanwhile, in order to maintain peace and tranquillity in the disputed border areas, it informed that a Border Peace Co-ordination Committee (BPCC) has been formed in all the districts bordering Assam consisting of representatives from both the states, “which is purely voluntary.”
“To create a conducive atmosphere and for maintaining peace and harmony among the people of Nagaland and Assam, frequent meetings of the Border Peace Coordination Committee are being held,” the department stated.
It also mentioned that culture and sports programmes are also being organised in almost all the sectors of the disputed border areas. “Apart from the main duties and function, the department of Border Affairs also undertakes some minor developmental works to provide basic amenities to the Naga villages in the border areas,” it added.
Accordingly, the department has started providing basic minimum infrastructure in the disputed border areas, like border magistrate office building, staff quarters, border rest house, drinking water and road connectivity in phase manner, which are not covered by any other development department, it claimed.
“These civil works are being executed by the executive engineers of CAWD under the Commissioner’s establishment and monitored by the department of Border Affairs,” it remarked.
The also department informed that a sum of INR 100 lakh was spent for construction of staff quarter at Meriema in Kohima, construction of border rest house at Mangkolemba in Mokokchung, construction of border rest house at Tizit in Mon, and construction of link road and culvert connecting villages in the disputed border areas.
To ensure better coordination and effective monitoring of the border areas, it informed that a border cell has been established at deputy commissioner offices in Kohima, Dimapur, Mokokchung, Wokha, Mon, Longleng and Peren districts, which share a border with the neighbouring state.
“Necessary office equipment like computer sets, camera, laptop, GPS and motor bikes had been provided,” it informed.
It also stated that establishment of three more border cells at the district sharing international border is under process.
“Border meetings are being held with the counterpart at different levels from time to time,” the department said adding, “Barring some minor reports of incidents the situation in the border area as a whole is by and large peaceful.”