(IN):Planned move by Nagas to encroach on State land

[Guest guest]

Link: http://www.assamtribune.com/scripts/details.asp?id=aug0807/at010

 

Planned move by Nagas to encroach on State land

By A Staff Reporter

GUWAHATI, Aug 7 – The recent carnage by Naga miscreants in three border

villages of Assam at Geleki was a " well-coordinated and planned attempt to

encroach land within Assam through illegal means and violent activities. "

The Nagaland Government, too, had a role in the disturbing developments.

 

The Minister for Border Area Development, Gautom Roy said this in the

Assembly today in response to a discussion on 'Protection of lives of people

living near Nagaland border inside Assam and also their land and property

from Naga invaders' raised by Drupad Borgohain under Rule 50 of the Rules of

Procedure and Conduct of Business.

 

" Regarding the recent spate in violence by Nagaland Government, the

Government of Assam has taken up the matter with the Chief Secretary,

Nagaland, vide DO letter No. BD.1/2005/149 dated 11th July 2007 and

PLA/115/2004/368-A dated 5th July 2007, " Roy informed the House.

 

Roy said that in view of the seriousness of the situation, an integrated

plan covering roads, electrification and communication, and border outpost

(BOP) infrastructure was being drawn up immediately for each border

district. " This is for effective security and better vigilance along the

inter-State border by the respective Deputy Commissioners (DCs), " he added.

 

Announcing that Rs 10 crore had been proposed for revamping the BOPs, the

Minister said that the DCs, Divisional Forest Officers and police had also

been instructed to take prompt action in evicting encroachment as per law.

The Village Defence Party, too, will be strengthened.

 

Among the steps already taken include intensified patrolling by security

forces along the border, creation of a new BOP at Sonapur village, posting

of an additional APBn company in addition to the regular BOP personnel in

the border area of Sivasagar district. " A platoon each has been posted at

Sonapur, Borhulla, Dhekiajuli and Saraisajia in Geleki, " Roy revealed.

 

Roy also said that for fixing the constitutional boundary between Assam and

Nagaland, a local commission constituted by the Supreme Court had been

working since November 2006, and that several rounds of hearing had been

held.

 

Earlier, initiating the discussion, Drupad Borgohain demanded that the

people in border Assam villages be provided with licensed arms to meet the

threat of Naga miscreants, as the State Government totally failed to provide

any semblance of security to the innocent people.

 

" The border areas present a picture of sheer neglect and apathy with little

facility for transport, communication and basic civic amenities like potable

drinking water, power, etc. The Government is turning a blind eye to the

plight of the villagers who have been left to the mercy of the Naga

marauders, " he said.

 

Borgohain said that as per the white paper of the State Government published

way back in 1995, there had been rampant systematic and organized

encroachment on reserve forests of Assam, destroying pristine forests in the

process. " The white paper also noted that the Assam Government was trying to

tackle the matter through 'patience, tolerance and dialogue' even as Naga

police outposts and subdivisions were coming up on Assam's land, " he said.

 

Holding both the Centre and the State Government responsible for the

worsening situation, Borgohain said that the Nagaland Government was most

uncooperative to settle the border dispute as per the Sundaram Committee

recommendations. " It was not abiding by the committee recommendations. It

was not even interested in a joint survey of the border, " he added.

 

Borgohain said that the demand for a greater Nagaland with Assam territory

was historically incorrect, as none of the areas demanded by the Nagas ever

witnessed Naga occupation. " The idea of a greater Nagaland has more to do

with Assam's natural resources like forests, tea, oilfields and coal than

with any historical premises, " he said.

 

AGP legislator Pradip Hazarika said that taking advantage of the laxity of

the Assam Government, Nagaland was setting up check gates and churches at

Geleki. The BOPs exist only in name – devoid as they are of any

infrastructure to meet the challenge of Naga incursion. " No one from the

administration or the Government ever visits these neglected places, " he

added.

 

Another AGP legislator, Binod Goala said that nine reserve forests in six

sectors of the border was under widespread encroachment from Nagaland. He

also levelled the serious allegation that the CRPF was in cahoots with the

Naga miscreants and administration, giving them a free hand to continue with

their anti-Assam activities. " The need of the hour is to have a collective

stand cutting across party lines, as the territorial integrity of the State

is under threat, " he said.

 

--

Fight captive Jumbo abuse, end Elephant Polo

http://www.stopelephantpolo.com