Nagaland, Assam diffuse border tension

July 31, 2021 122 Views No Comment

Both states agree to pull out police forces from Tzürangkong area

Correspondent/DIPR MOKOKCHUNG, JUL 31 (NPN) : In a major development, police forces of both Assam and Nagaland have agreed to withdraw from their respective outposts in Tzürangkong area along the inter-State border.

As published in this newspaper on July 29, both Nagaland and Assam governments assured to withdraw their police forces to maintain status quo and to prevent any untoward incident. DGP Nagaland, TJ Longkumer had also informed Nagaland Post that both the sides were to announce a breakthrough over the recent ongoing impasse at Tzürangkong area as modalities were being worked out.

During the meeting at Chungtiayimsen in Mokokchung district on Friday deputy chief minister Y Patton informed the delegations of Ao Senden, Tzurangkong Union, Northern Sumi Union and Tzürangkong Naga Youth Front that the chief ministers of both the states have agreed to withdraw their police forces and maintain a peaceful atmosphere in the border areas.

He, however, clarified that Nagaland Police would not withdraw from their outpost unless Assam Police withdrew from their outpost.

He alleged that in the past when both police forces had agreed to withdraw from the border areas following agreements, Assam did not withdraw its forces and had in fact increased the number of outposts, even though Nagaland withdrew its forces. “We will not make the same mistake again,” he asserted.

Patton, who is also in-charge of home department, said others should not test the patience of Nagaland government or Naga people, even as he called upon the people not to take law into their own hands but to approach the State government and work together to solve the issue.

He assured the meeting that he would be available to the people anytime, while claiming that the border issue was being taken up at the highest level for peaceful resolution.

DGP Nagaland, TJ John Longkumer, who too was present at the meeting, appreciated Tzürangkong range people for not taking the matter into their own hands and thereby worsening the situation. He said he had spoken with his counterpart in Assam on the issue of withdrawing forces along the disputed area.

Speaking at the meeting, commissioner of Nagaland Rovilatuo Mor said the difficulties faced by the people due to economic blockade and harassment by Assam was being taken up at the chief secretary level of both the States, adding that the government machinery was working towards resolving the issues amicably.

He appealed that physical confrontation should be avoided at any cost.

Addressing the gathering, Superintendent of Police Mokokchung Vishal Chauhan said that Mokokchung police was on alert and have placed security forces in strategic locations along the border. With regard to economic blockade from Assam side, the SP assured that if required police personnel will provide escorts to Nagaland bound vehicles carrying essential commodities till the depot.

Others who spoke at the meeting included advisor treasuries & accounts and NH, Dr. Longrineken, deputy commissioner Mokokchung Limawapang Jamir and presidents of Ao Senden and Tzurangkong Union. The meeting was chaired by additional deputy commissioner Mangkolemba.

Earlier, the deputy chief minister, along with DGP, commissioner of Nagaland, IGP (Range) and joint secretary of border affairs, made an aerial survey of Vikuto village and Ao Senden village.

Meanwhile, Tzurangkong Naga Youth Front also submitted a memorandum to the deputy chief minister.

The memorandum signed by its president and secretary appealed to the government to establish a Border Observation Post (BOP) in all the volatile areas bordering Assam and to deploy at least one battalion of IRB in the Tzurangkong area at the earliest in order to prevent future border encroachments from the Assam side.

Source: http://www.nagalandpost.com/nagaland-assam-diffuse-border-tension/237370.html