Welfare works along Assam-Nagaland border stalled

JORHAT, August 9: Development activities along the Assam-Nagaland border within Jorhat district have taken a backseat over the past few months as an amount of Rs 23 lakh sanctioned by the state government for welfare works in the area for the financial year March 2000-2001 is still awaiting release. A bone of contention between the two neighbouring states since the past few decades, frequent skirmisher along the border over allegations of land encroachment have been a constant pain in the neck especially for the Assam Government, which has all along claimed that land-hungry Naga folks have covertly and in some cases overtly grabbed cultivable land well within the state's boundary. Despite an earlier sum of Rs 20 lakh being pumped in for border area development during '99-2000 and 17 bridges having been constructed in the area, a considerable amount still remains to be accomplished. The much-publicised Vision Plan too envisages a number of border roads, new electrification schemes, potable water supply, besides irrigation facilities for border villages at a cost of Rs 1.68 crore to be completed within the period 2001 to 2025. Though there are ten border outposts (BOPs) along the Assam-Nagaland border within Jorhat district, namely Rajabari, Gabharu, Bandarchaliha, New Sonowal, Chukephala, Chutiakari, Dessoi Valley, Gorajan, Panikheti and Kheromia, the last-named five are yet to be electrified. Additionally, there are allegations that four BOPs are very much inside the state's reserved forest areas and not along the border, as their names suggest. Gabharu, Dessoi Valley, New Sonowal and Chukephala fall under this category. Going by statistics alone, even while taking a cursory glance at reserved forest land encroached upon by the Nagaland Government within Jorhat district, the Assam counterpart's claims on the subject seem to be well-founded. For example in Mariani Legislative Assembly Constituency (LAC) alone, Dessoi Valley Reserve Forest has witnessed 13,1332,14 hectares being encroached and Naga villages like Sutaphala, Aokum, New Chungtia, New Lengpha, Watiyium, Aasenden, Aasangkum, Akashika, Aghautito, Khaktato, Mayamti, Mamtimyim and Akahute being established. Though there is till date no polling station within the said areas, churches, schools, police check-posts and basic facilities like electricity, water supply, veterinary and food processing units have been set up by the neighbouring Government. Similarly, in the Tiru Hills RF under Mariani LAC too, 4,829,15 hectares encompassing Yachang, Compound Basti, Lirumen Basti, Akumen Basti and Chairman Basti have been encroached upon. Dessoi RF too can draw a parallel, with 1,532,34 hectares presently under Morongial Naga Basti having been 'lost' to Nagaland and churches, police stations and the like being set up. As for Teok revenue circle, 1,65,73 hectares have 'fallen' to land-guzzling Nagaland. Naga villages like Chairman Basti, Ankuman Basti, Sampung and Charing Basti have come up in the area even as schools and churches have been speedily constructed by the encroachers just to lend an aura of genuinity insofar as jurisdiction and religion are concerned. Border watchers here feel that unless drastic measures were undertaken by the Centre to oust encroachers and 'clearly' demarcate the 'disputed' areas, the stalemate is bound to continue ceaselessly. In the process it is the Assam Government which stands to lose, as the several Central commissions have till date only harped on maintaining status quo along the border, which has in fact proved to be a Godsend for the encroachers who continue with their modus operandi of 'grabbing a metre a day' while it lasts.