MARIANI, Oct 21 ? Even though the situation in the Assam-Nagaland border areas is fast getting out of hand, with reports of incursions and Naga presence being reported every now and then, the authorities sitting in Dispur, Kohima and even New Delhi seem to be least concerned with the sensitive situation. The recent eviction drives conducted by the Assam government further aggravated the simmering tension prevalent along the border areas.
Being specific to the E-sector here in Jorhat district, the problem had started in 1963 after bifurcation when Naga men started to claim vast tracts of Assam soil. Much in compliance with the proposed Nagalim map, the Nagas have been intruding gradually and at present dominate
more then 15,400 hectares of Assam soil in the reserve forests of E-sector. This being not enough, the tribals have been showing their teeth by threatening, abducting and assaulting local Assamese people along with clearing the forests and slaughtering animals.
Recently, one Dhenu Gar of Tokoubari was assaulted with khukris by two Naga men of Akahuto basti at Khermia on October 10. On October 1, a group of six to seven armed Naga men allegedly broke into the houses of Santi Gar and Romen Murmu at Mogroi village and took away some hens and ducks after bullying them. The next day, one Tarun Phukon of Khermia was assaulted by three Naga youth when he allegedly refused to provide them with vegetables.
Local people have alleged that Naga men often come to their border-lying areas, threaten people and take away the vegetables and fruits as holding tax?. According to the Nagas, they are residing in Nagaland. These Nagas hail from various ?bastis? established along the encroached tracts of E-sector here.
On such establishment of the Nagas was evicted by Jorhat administration in the Panikheti region of Dessoi reserve forest on May 22. But the intruders had reconstructed the huts in the area. Consequently, the settlement was again evicted on September 19. This time, with the assistance from the extremists groups the Naga men set up more than 20 huts along with a vigilance camp of the NSCN nearby.
As the increasingly unlawful activities of the Naga continue to the aggraivate the situation, local people have resented the failure of the State govt to foresee the events. Deteriorating road conditions, erratic power supply and poor communication facilities have further affected the inhabitants of these virtually abandoned border lying areas like Naginijan, Puthinadi, Mogroi, Morongial, Khermia and others. The administration has failed completely both in containing the rising tension and safe-guarding the inhabitants from Naga atrocities.
The only existing security snaps in the form of Border Observation Posts BOPs) have virtually lost their presence because of inadequate infrastructure and unhygienic conditions. The forest department also seems to be least worried about the alarming situation. The sub-beat offices at Puthinadi and Khermia have been lying unmuned since months. The quarters have also become dilapidated.
With casual attitude of the administration following the escalation of tension after the Panikheti eviction, local youths of Naginijan and Puthinadi have organised into groups armed with bows and arrows to stand guard over the village peripheries during rights.
Sources revealed that while a section of fanatics Nagas are engaged in the atrocities there is also a faction of peace-loving Naga people who have urged their govt to resolve the border dispute and ease out the tension in the areas. ?Nevertheless as both the State govts still sit over the fence, the inhabitants of these sensitive areas are preparing for the worst as the situation demands.