Talks to diffuse tension at Tzürangkong border

July 29, 2021 42 Views No Comment

Both states likely to withdraw police forces from border

Staff Reporter/Correspondent DIMAPUR/MOKOKCHUNG, JUL 29 (NPN): With the recent July 26 firing incident between Assam and Mizoram police forces serving as a reminder on the danger of heightened situation along the Nagaland-Assam border area at Tzürangkong range under Mokokchung district, both governments in Assam and Nagaland are undertaking measures to normalise the situation.

Highly placed sources informed Nagaland Post, that both the states are to ensure that their police forces are withdrawn and maintain status quo to prevent any untoward incident. Sources also said that the demarcation of borders in the area, will be decided through political negotiations, keeping in mind the legal and constitutional parameters.

When contacted, Nagaland DGP , T. John Longkumer said officials from both the States were holding discussions and expressed the hope that the two sides will earnestly resolve the issue at the earliest.

He also said that both sides were likely to announce a breakthrough over the recent ongoing impasse at Tzurangkong area as modalities were being worked out.

Meanwhile, tension continues to rise at Tzürangkong range area due to the presence of Assam Police personnel in Vikuto village area besides prevention of trucks loaded with goods from entering Nagaland.

When contacted, Deputy Commissioner (DC) Mokokchung Limawapang Jamir told Nagaland Post that he had written to his Jorhat (Assam) counterpart regarding trucks carrying essential commodities being stopped and held up at New Sonowal forest check gate (Assam) without any valid reasons.

DC cited a Union home ministry’s guideline which stated that inter-State movement of vehicles carrying essential commodities should not be hindered or obstructed. DC said he was yet to receive any reply from his Jorhat counterpart.

On the recent developments like construction of roads and barracks by Assam near Vikuto village, Limawapang said these could not be confirmed officially as the Assam Police personnel stationed there were not allowing anyone from Nagaland , including government officials, to enter the area.

However, he said some sources have confirmed construction of roads and buildings in the area. Interestingly, some aerial photos of these constructions have been going viral on various social media platforms.

DC also confirmed the July 23 incident at Aosungkum village in which Assam Police personnel went to the village and destroyed some developmental works being carried out at the village under MGNREGA. He regretted the unilateral action taken by Assam and felt if there was any complaint then he should have been contacted so as to conduct a joint verification , if required.

TNYF expresses dismay

Tzürangkong Naga Youth Front (TNYF) said it was extremely disheartened with the state government “for failing the TNYF on several border encroachment incidents at multiple fronts by the Assamese locals and Assam police at the behest of the government of Assam.”

In a statement, TNYF said that it had issued several press statements through the local dailies, reminding the state government to evict Assam police personnel stationed inside Nagaland and also to stop fresh encro achments and developments by the Assam counterpart. However, TNYF said their appeals had fallen on deaf ears.

Source: http://www.nagalandpost.com/talks-to-diffuse-tension-at-tz%C3%BCrangkong-border/237252.html