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09/01/2009: "No extension for Padmanabhaiah as interlocutor for Naga talks TNN Times of India"

No extension for Padmanabhaiah as interlocutor for Naga talks TNN Times of India

NEW DELHI: The Centre has decided not to extend the term of former Union home secretary K Padmanabhaiah as interlocutor for talks with the Naga outfit NSCN(IM). It will instead hold direct negotiations with the rebels to find a lasting solution to the vexed issue of insurgency in Nagaland.

"The term of Padmanabhaiah, who has served as interlocutor for a decade, has come to an end on Monday. We have decided not to extend his tenure. Now onwards, the government will talk directly to NSCN (IM)," said a senior home ministry official.
Padmanabhaiah was first appointed as interlocutor for Naga talks on July 28, 1999, for one year but he had been getting extension since then. Since August 1997,

Nagaland denies cop camp OUR CORRESPONDENT The Telegraph
Kohima, Aug. 31: The Nagaland commissioner and principal secretary of border affairs, H.K. Khulu, today strongly denied the setting up of a new Naga police camp at “Bihoto Basti” in Sector-B in the bordering areas and that preparation was also on to create a new sub-division in Sarupathar. He said there is no such village called Bihoto in the entire Sector-B and hence, the question of setting up a new police post does not arise.
“The Nagaland government is aware of the state of affairs and illegal activities in the border areas and the border magistrate of Nagaland has pointed out these facts to his counterpart in Assam and even suggested a joint operation against alleged illegal Bangladeshi settlements. But it was Assam which has opposed such a move,” he said.
Denying that Nagaland had violated the 1972 interim agreement, Khulu said in order to enforce the terms of the agreement, a neutral force had to be deployed under mutual understanding between the two state governments.
“In fact, the chief ministers of Assam and Nagaland agreed to the deployment of the BSF as the neutral force under the command of the GOC 8th Mountain Division for the entire disputed border areas of Assam and Nagaland. However, this arrangement did not materialise as the then Union home secretary was of the view that fresh induction of the BSF may not be possible and both the states have to rely on whatever force available with them,” he added.
He said thereafter, instead of pursuing a mutually acceptable deployment of neutral forces, Assam started deployment of its own forces with a unilateral standard operational procedure (SOP) wherein the so-called neutral force has to take the command from the police station and district administration of Assam only.
Centre to enter direct talks with rebels Manan KumarIndia Express Buzz
NEW DELHI: Eager to solve the Naga problem, the Centre has come up with a unique but seemingly tough stance - unite if you want a solution. Keen to go ahead with the talks directly, the Centre has decided against giving extension to its interlocutor K Padmanabhaiah whose term ended on Monday, which means that the talks have progressed to the next level.
The Centre has conveyed in unequivocal terms that everyone needs to be involved – the rival NSCN factions along with the Naga National Council’s two factions and the state government. “We have asked every stakeholder signature on a package which will be ready in the next two months. If even one of them does not agree, we will not give it,” said a senior Home Ministry official.
Even S S Khaplang, leader of the NSCN (K) who lives in Myanmar, will be involved.
Ironically, the Intelligence Bureau has often been accused of using the divide and rule policy by encouraging one faction against the other.
NSCN (IM) general secretary Thuingalang Muivah may find himself sidelined, but he will have difficulty in opposing the package outright as the solution also includes sops for Nagas in Manipur besides greater autonomy and a council to decide their cultural issues.
Muivah, a Tangkhul Naga, belongs to Ukhrul district in Manipur and wants Naga-inhabited areas to be part of a unified Nagalim. Not acceding any of that, the Centre continues talks but suspects that even if the outfit agrees to a solution, rival groups like the NSCN (K) may continue an armed struggle. But Home Minister P Chidambaram wants a solution for Nagaland and Manipur.
“Earlier, in the 1950s, we failed to show them respect. The solution will show there is respect for the Nagas,” said an official. Similarly, the Centre said that the space created by the Naga solution would imply respect for Manipuri whose territorial integrity would be maintained. The package, a potential solution as the government sees it, will include more autonomy for Nagaland and empowerment of the Naga Hills in Manipur.

GPRN/NSCN asks IRB to stop provocation Nagaland Page
Dimapur, August 31: The GPRN/NSCN has accused the 12 Bn. IRB stationed at Kohima of indulging in "thuggish behavior", which it said is "extremely distasteful and needs immediate disciplining by those in command".
A statement issued through its MIP by C Singson, Alee Kilonser & Supervisor, CFSB, NSCN, alleged that on the evening of August 30 last at around 6:30 p.m., a section of 12 IR at Kohima accosted the GPRN/NSCN Chaplee Secretary, his bodyguard and another civilian with a barrage of abusive words that soon gave way to physical assault in the most barbaric manner.
"It was gruesome. What is more astonishing is that even after the GPRN/NSCN official revealed his Identity Card bearing no. 002 issued under the Ceasefire agreement between NSCN and the GOI, which allows the card holder to carry one firearm, the vehicle was thoroughly searched and arms taken away. His Identity card was thrown into the muddy footpath saying "You think you can do as you like with this ID card? GPRN/NSCN would like to know if IRB personnel have the authority to throw away the ID card issued jointly by NSCN and the GOI?" the statement said.
The GPRN/NSCN also alleged that another IRB constable manhandled and beat up the bodyguard of the Chaplee Secretary by declaring arrogantly "what, even I was in the underground for 4-5 years".
"It is extremely unfortunate that the IRB personnel displayed their wanton attitude when clarity of thought and action was needed at that moment. This is the reason why Naga public has shown little respect for the ill-mannered IRB," the statement said.
Demanding the IRB top brass to immediately identify the erring 12 Bn. IRB personnel at Kohima, who caused physical injury and mental trauma to the GPRN/NSCN Chaplee Secretary, his bodyguard and the lone civilian, the GPRN/NSCN said a disciplinary action must be initiated against the guilty "because this incident is a clear violation of operational procedures".
This incident comes right on the heels of CFSB meeting a week ago, which also dwelled on the excesses committed by paramilitary forces and state police forces. At this juncture when Nagas are inching towards peace and reconciliation amongst themselves in order to force a breakthrough in the prolonged Indo-Naga political imbroglio. Provocative actions such as this will not go down well either with the GPRN/NSCN or the general Naga public. Provocation, henceforth, shall not be tolerated, the GPRN/NSCN statement added. (Page News Service)

IDF's bandh demanding ADC polls total in hill dists Staff Reporter Sangai Express
IMPHAL, Sep 1: Normal life in the hill districts was thrown out of gear due to the 12 hours hill districts bandh called by the Indigenous Democratic Front (IDF) demanding early polls to the District Councils.
Due the bandh, Ukhrul district headquarters was paralysed. There was no taxi or bus service. Government offices, educational institutions, shops and business units remained closed.
At different places in Senapati district, there were minor confrontations between bandh supporters and bandh opposers. However, there is no report of any untoward incident.
There was no inter-State transport service. Government offices, educational institutions and market centres were all shut.
Normal life in Tamenglong district was also affected by the bandh. Our Tamenglong correspondent reports that there was little traffic on the roads as market centres, schools and Government offices remained closed.
The bandh produced similar impacts in Chandel, Churachandpur and Sadar Hills.
However, there is no report of any major incident in the course of the bandh.
Meanwhile, IDF president Ngachonmi Chamroy has stated that governance based on indigenous democracy to indigenous peoples (tribal peoples) is the aim and objective of the IDF.
Speaking to media persons at Manipur Press Club this afternoon, Ngachonmi maintained that the IDF would carry on with different forms of agitation until its aim and objective are achieved after conducting election to the District Councils.
Even as the District Council Act, 1971, was enacted by the Government, the Government is unable to implement the same Act. As such, the IDF would construe that the Government has become paralysed.
The IDF may launch a strong movement at any time in pursuit of its demand, Ngachonmi confided. With the District Council elections kept postponed, the Government of India’s annual allotment of Rs 25 crores for infrastructure development in hills districts have been going to waste, he lamented. In connection with the protracted delay in conducting the District Council elections, a Public Interest Litigation has been filed at the Gauhati High Court. He also appreciated the massive support extended to IDF’s different movements from all the hill districts.
As regards the contradictory statements made by some organisations, he noted that it is acceptable under the ideologies and practices of democracy.
DHD-J links up with NDFB - Move reduces chances of ceasefire A STAFF REPORTER
Guwahati, Aug. 31: Hopes of Dispur declaring a ceasefire with the Dima Halam Daogah (Jewel) have receded with the revelation that the outfit is establishing a “working relationship” with the Ranjan Daimary faction of the National Democratic Front of Boroland.
Referring to police reports, an official today said the two militant groups were now working together.
Chirang superintendent of police D. Upadhyay today said links between the two outfits came to light after the two cadres of the DHD (J) were arrested in the district yesterday. The two had been taken to the district by an NDFB militant.
Upadhyay said the police were investigating why the NDFB cadre had brought the DHD (J) cadres to Chirang. “Since the investigation is on, I would not like to reveal much about the case except that there is a link between the two outfits,” he added.
Intelligence sources here said an NDFB cadre, Jathi, aged around 22 to 23, had in fact taken four DHD (J) cadres to the outfit’s hideout in Chirang. Jathi (the name could be a pseudonym) is a middle-ranking cadre of the Bodo outfit. Two other DHD (J) cadres and Jathi managed to give police the slip.
The sources said the DHD (J) had established links with the NDFB after security operations were tightened in North Cachar Hills and Karbi Anglong. They said the DHD (J) is desperate to regain its lost strength after suffering a series of setbacks following the arrest of its chairman Jewel Gorlosa. For this, the outfit is trying to ride piggyback on outfits like the NDFB and the NSCN (I-M).
The Centre and the state government have so far remained steadfast against declaring any truce with the DHD (J) despite the latter’s repeated feelers. Sources said by establishing links with the Daimary faction, the DHD (J) had reduced its chances.
“From the very beginning, we had doubts about the sincerity of the outfit towards peace, which has now been proved right,” a senior home department official said.
He said by severing links with the pro-ceasefire group of the NDFB, the outfit’s Daimary faction had made it amply clear that it was not interested in any peace process. Now, by establishing links with the Daimary faction, the DHD (J), too, has dented its credibility towards any peace process. The police are trying to establish how deep is the link between the two groups.

Ranjan Daimary
The sources said it was not yet clear whether the NDFB was providing training to cadres of the Dimasa outfit at its training camps in Bangladesh. The NDFB runs at least two training camps in Bangladesh, they added.
The DHD (J) had declared a truce last year but returned to arms thereafter. It declared a truce again this year soon after the arrest of its leader, Jewel Gorlosa, in Banglaore. It also submitted a list of demands, saying these were within the ambit of the Constitution and hence the government should not find it difficult to discuss or even accede to. The demands included renaming of North Cachar Hills among other things.
However, both the Centre and the state government have made it known that no peace process could start until the outfit deposited all its weapons, which would be held in joint custody, and till all its leaders came to the negotiating table.
Police trace Ulfa SIM to Bangla OUR CORRESPONDENT The Telegraph
Dibrugarh, Aug. 31: Security agencies in the state have shed more light on Ulfa’s use of Bangladeshi territory for its operations in Assam with police tracking down mobile phone numbers of the neighbouring country belonging to two of the outfit’s leaders for extortion in Sivasagar district.
The two Ulfa leaders made the phone calls to businessmen in the district, demanding money, using SIM cards of Bangladesh with the two numbers — 880173217334 and 8801816480754.
The two have been identified as self-styled captain Apurba Baruah alias Bhaity Baruah and self-styled sergeant Niren Sarma.
The police said at least 20 people — majority of them tea garden managers and established businessmen — received extortion demands over phone from a couple of Ulfa leaders.
The extortion demands ranged from Rs 20 lakh to Rs 40 lakh.
“All those who informed us about the extortion demands had one thing in common — the numbers from which they received the calls were from Bangladesh. After investigation, we have been able to find out that these numbers have international roaming facilities and Ulfa leaders were using the phones from either Bangladesh or their camps in the border areas of Nagaland and Myanmar,” Sivasagar superintendent of police Shyamal Saikia said.
“We have already started taking necessary steps in this regard. However, I would not like to divulge details at this juncture since it might hamper further investigation,” he said.
As a follow-up to the phone calls from the two Ulfa leaders, people had also received extortion notes signed by the self-styled commanding officer of the 28 battalion, Bijoy Chinese alias Bijoy Das, and also his deputy, operations commander Michael Deka Phukon.
Some garden managers and businessmen had sought help from the Sivasagar SP urging him to ensure adequate security for them.
“Adequate measures are being taken from our side. Actually, Ulfa had suffered severe blows in Sivasagar district during the past couple of years, which is why it is desperate to stage a comeback, which we will not allow in any case,” Saikia added.
According to official figures, from January 2007 till date, over 30 Ulfa cadres had been killed in various encounters with security forces in the district. During the period, over 55 cadres of the outfit had been arrested, of whom, around 20 are facing charges under the National Security Act (NSA).
Police sources said Ulfa was trying hard to build up its replenished coffers in Upper Assam and had therefore started making extortion calls. The outfit had been at the receiving end since the unilateral ceasefire declared by two of the prominent companies — Alpha and Charlie — of the 28 battalion on June 24 last year, they said.
Commissioner Nagaland clarifies news report on Assam -Nagaland border issue Nagaland page
The Commissioner, Nagaland & Principal Secretary, Border Affairs, H.K. Khulu has clarified on news item which was published on 28th August issue of 'The Sentinel', Guwahati. The full text of the letter to the Editor, Sentinel News Paper, Guwahati is as follows:
'On the subject referred to above, I would like to draw your kind attention against one of your staff correspondent from Jorhat base who is indulging, time and again, feeding your esteem daily with irresponsible and distorted facts about Assam-Nagaland Border issue for cheap publicity, without even realising the fact that such distorted reporting may lead to serious consequences and spark off serious law and order problem between the two states.
Your Staff Correspondent from Jorhat in your esteem daily of 28th August, 2009 edition has alleged that the Naga encroachers are all set to establish a new Naga Police camp at Bihoto Basti in Sector-B of the Bordering areas and preparation is also on to create a new sub-division by Nagas in Sarupathar area and the required papers works are being carried out in the department concerned of the Nagaland Government. From what source your staff correspondent has relied his report is a matter for your esteemed daily to make an enquiry, but the fact remain that there is no such village call Bihoto in the entire Sector-B of the Assam, Nagaland border areas, hence, the question of setting up a new police post does not arise and there is no such plan of the Government of Nagaland to set up any new Sub-Division in the so call Sarupathar area. Your staff Correspondent may well explain why he is so interested in one police post of Nagaland whereas Assam has 44 AAP posts set up all along the Assam-Nagaland Border in violation of the Interim Agreements.
Your Correspondent also accused the Nagas for setting up madrassas and has mentioned three such madrassas at Gelajan, Bidyapur and Dayalpur areas with more than 500 suspected Bangladeshi students taking religious teaching every year and regularly being shifted to various parts of the state for religious purposes. In this regard if the report of your staff Correspondent is correct than perhaps the onus of this state of affairs squarely lies with the Assam Government for setting up such villages for illegal Bangladeshi in the disputed Rengma Reserve Forest areas under Sector-C despite strong objection from the Government of Nagaland. The Nagaland Government is aware of the state of affairs and illegal activities being taking place in Bidyapur areas and the Border Magistrate of Nagaland has pointed out these facts to their counter part Assam and even suggested joint operation against this illegal settlement and trade but it was the district administration of Assam who has opposed such a move. Your Staff Correspondent, instead of accusing the Nagas of any wrong doing, will do well in apprising the Government of Assam to initiate action against this illegal settlement and trades prevailing in Bidyapur area of Sector-C of the disputed border areas, which has resulted on account of the mismanagement of the Assam Forest Department and the Government of Assam.
Further, your Staff Correspondent has also accused Nagas of violation of the Interim agreement signed in 1985 to maintain status quo. But the fact is that in order to enforce the terms of Interim agreements signed in 1972 a Neutral Force were agreed to be deployed under mutual understanding between the two state Governments. Infact both the two Chief Ministers of Assam and Nagaland as per agreement dated 7/6/1985 in presence of the Governor at Imphal, Manipur, agreed for deployment of BSF as the neutral force under the command of the GOC 8th Mountain Division for the entire disputed border areas of Assam and Nagaland, however, this arrangement could not be materialised as the then Union Home Secretary was of the view that fresh induction of BSF may not be possible and both the state has to rely on whatever force available with them. Thereafter, instead of pursuing a mutually acceptable deployment of Neutral forces in the disputed border areas the Assam Government unilaterally started deployment of its own forces CRPF/AAP all along the disputed border areas with a unilateral Standard Operational Procedure (SOP) wherein the so call neutral force has to take the command from the Thanas (Police Station) and District Administration of Assam only. Your staff Correspondent has mentioned about the Standard Operation Procedure agreed to in 1979.The Nagaland Government has been insisting that the Standard Operation Procedure agreed to in 1979 only should be observed in letter and spirit all along the Assam, Nagaland border. However, the Nagaland Government cannot agree to the unilateral deployment of forces and unilateral SOP issued by the Assam Government in gross violation of the Interim Agreements and in violation of natural justice and fair play. In fact the above SOP was agreed to be reviewed in the Chief Secretary Meeting held at Guwahati on 16/5/2005 and during the Divisional Commissioner level meeting held at Numaligarh on 23/9/2005. However, Assam has failed to honour their agreement and the matter is still yet to be reviewed. Therefore, your staff Correspondent should desist from irresponsible reporting and distortion of fact to gain cheap publicity.
Your may also be aware of the fact that under the terms of the Interim Agreements of 1972 the Government of Nagaland agreed to allow temporarily the management of all the Reserve Forest to the Assam Forest department and in turn the Assam Government agreed that all the reserve forest shall be maintained as such and no fresh lease or contracts will be entered into by it in respect to all the said Reserve Forest during the continuance of this agreement and the Assam Government shall furnish to the Nagaland Government within ten/fifteen days of this agreement a full and complete list of leases and contracts already entered into in respect of all the said Reserve Forests, which they have failed to provide till date. Further, in dealing with encroachments, the Assam Government agreed to enforce uniform policy irrespective of the area or state to which the encroachers belong and also agreed that the Naga settlement existing on the date of this agreement will not be disturbed.
Now over the years due to the mismanagement of the Assam Forest department peoples from the Assam side and Nagaland side had settled in this disputed forest areas and subsequently both the Government of Assam and Nagaland has given recognition to this settlement. Therefore, any arbitrary and unilateral action on the part of Assam to evict Naga settlers only from the disputed areas will amount to violation of the aforesaid agreements and will also tantamount to infringement on their rights as citizen of India and their rights to settle anywhere in the country as guaranteed by the Constitution of India.
You may also be aware of the fact that the Assam Government had file an original suit dated 10/12/1988 in the Supreme Court of India in the matters of encroachment into their territory, but till date notwithstanding the prayer made by the Assam for Interim Injunction/relief on the matter to give full administrative control and other incidental benefit exclusively on the area which falls within the so call constitutional boundary of Assam no interim order whatsoever had been issued by the Hon'ble court as prayed for or otherwise instead the Hon'ble court has appointed a Local Commission to identify the boundaries between the states of Assam, Nagaland and Arunachal Pradesh for which the hearing is in progress. Therefore, your Correspondent should not decide nor come to such conclusion which portion of the disputed border areas of Assam-Nagaland will fall under whose jurisdiction on the basis of the Topo-sheet prepared by the Survey of India wherein the survey of India has also categorically stated that the boundary shown on the Topo¬-sheet in regard to the Inter state boundary between Assam and Nagaland is yet to be verified on the ground. Since the above matter is subjudice in the Supreme Court matter may be left for the court to adjudicate and to the Government of Nagaland and Assam to decide and not left to some cheap correspondent from Jorhat.
In the light of the above and in the interest of both the states, and the people specifically living in the border areas along the disputed border belt, I would like to request your esteemed daily to kindly restrain your Correspondent from cheap and irresponsible reporting without facts on the Assam-Nagaland border issue as this may lead to serious law and order problem, but rather focus on unbiased reporting in the larger interest of maintaining peace and harmony all along the disputed border areas of Assam-Nagaland and towards an amicable solution of the border problem between the two sister states.'
(DIPR)

Nagaland Government reacts to The Sentinel report Sentinel
From HK Khulu,
Commissioner, Nagaland
& Principal Secretary, Border Affairs

I would like to draw your kind attention against one of your staff correspondents from Jorhat base who is indulging, time and again, feeding your esteem daily with irresponsible and distorted facts about Assam-Nagaland border issue for cheap publicity, without even realising the fact that such distorted reporting may lead to serious consequences and spark off serious law-and-order problem between the two States.
Your Staff Correspondent from Jorhat in your esteem daily of 28th August, 2009 edition has alleged that the Naga encroachers are all set to establish a new Naga Police camp at Bihoto Basti in Sector-B of the bordering areas and preparation is also on to create a new subdivision by Nagas in Sarupathar area and the required papers works are being carried out in the department concerned of the Nagaland Government. From what source your staff correspondent has relied his report is a matter for your esteemed daily to make an enquiry, but the fact remains that there is no such village called Bihoto in the entire Sector-B of the Assam, Nagaland border areas, hence, the question of setting up a new police post does not arise and there is no such plan of the Government of Nagaland to set up any new subdivision in the so-called Sarupathar area. Your staff correspondent may well explain why he is so interested in one police post of Nagaland whereas Assam has 44 AAP posts set up all along the Assam-Nagaland border in violation of the interim agreements.
Your correspondent also accused the Nagas for setting up madrassas and has mentioned three such madrassas at Gelajan, Bidyapur and Dayalpur areas with more than 500 suspected Bangladeshi students taking religious teaching every year and regularly being shifted to various parts of the State for religious purposes. In this regard if the report of your staff correspondent is correct then perhaps the onus of this state of affairs squarely lies with the Assam Government for setting up such villages for illegal Bangladeshi in the disputed Rengma Reserve Forest areas under Sector-C despite strong objection from the Government of Nagaland. The Nagaland Government is aware of the state of affairs and illegal activities being taking place in Bidyapur areas and the Border Magistrate of Nagaland has pointed out these facts to their counterpart Assam and even suggested joint operation against this illegal settlement and trade but it was the district administration of Assam who has opposed such a move. Your Staff Correspondent, instead of accusing the Nagas of any wrong doing, will do well in apprising the Government of Assam to initiate action against this illegal settlement and trades prevailing in Bidyapur area of Sector-C of the disputed border areas, which has resulted on account of the mismanagement of the Assam Forest Department and the Government of Assam.
Further, your Staff Correspondent has also accused Nagas of violation of the interim agreement signed in 1985 to maintain status quo. But the fact is that in order to enforce the terms of Interim agreements signed in 1972 a Neutral Force were agreed to be deployed under mutual understanding between the two State Governments. In fact both the two Chief Ministers of Assam and Nagaland as per agreement dated 7/6/1985 in presence of the Governor of Imphal, Manipur, agreed for deployment of BSF as the neutral force under the command of the GOC 8th Mountain Division for the entire disputed border areas of Assam and Nagaland, however, this arrangement could not be materialised as the then Union Home Secretary was of the view that fresh induction of BSF may not be possible and both the states have to rely on whatever force available with them. Thereafter, instead of pursuing a mutually acceptable deployment of neutral forces in the disputed border areas the Assam Government unilaterally started deployment of its own forces CRPF/AAP all along the disputed border areas with a unilateral standard operational procedure (SOP) wherein the so-called neutral force has to take the command from the Thanas (police station) and District Administration of Assam only. Your staff correspondent has mentioned about the standard operation procedure agreed to in 1979. The Nagaland Government has been insisting that the standard operation procedure agreed to in 1979 only should be observed in letter and spirit all along the Assam, Nagaland border. However, the Nagaland Government cannot agree to the unilateral deployment of forces and unilateral SOP issued by the Assam Government in gross violation of the Interim Agreements and in violation of the natural justice and fair play. In fact, the above SOP was agreed to be reviewed in the Chief Secretary Meeting held at Guwahati on 16/5/2005 and during the Divisional Commissioner-level meeting held at Numaligarh on 23/9/2005. However, Assam has failed to honour their agreement and the matter is still to be reviewed. Therefore, your staff correspondent should desist from irresponsible reporting and distortion of fact to gain cheap publicity.
You may also be aware of the fact that under the terms of the interim agreements of 1972 the Government of Nagaland agreed to allow temporarily the management of all the Reserve Forest of the Assam Forest Department and in turn the Assam Government agreed that all the reserve forest shall be maintained as such and no fresh lease or contracts will be entered into by it in respect to all the said Reserve Forest during the continuance of this agreement and the Assam Government shall furnish to the Nagaland Government within ten/fifteen days of this agreement a full and complete list of leases and contracts already entered into in respect of all the said Reserve Forests, which they have failed to provide till date. Further, in dealing with encroachments, the Assam Government agreed to enforce uniform policy irrespective of the area or state to which the encroachers belong and also agreed that the Naga settlement existing on the date of this agreement will not be disturbed.
Now over the years due to the mismanagement of the Assam Forest Department people from the Assam side and Nagaland side had settled in this disputed forest areas and subsequently both the Government of Assam and Nagaland has given recognition to this settlement. Therefore, any arbitrary and unilateral action on the part of Assam to evict Naga settlers only from the disputed areas will amount to violation of the aforesaid agreements and will also tantamount to infringement on their rights as citizen of India and their rights to settle anywhere in the country as guaranteed by the Constitution of India.
You may also be aware of the fact that the Assam Government had filed an original suit dated 10/12/1988 in the Supreme Court of India in the matters of encroachment into their territory, but till date notwithstanding the prayer made by the Assam for Interim Injunction/relief on the matter to give full administrative control and other incidental benefit exclusively on the area which falls within the so called constitutional boundary of Assam no interim order whatsoever had been issued by the Hon’ble Court as prayed for or otherwise instead the Hon’ble court has appointed a Local Commission to identify the boundaries between the States of Assam, Nagaland and Arunachal Pradesh for which the hearing is in progress. Therefore, your Correspondent should not decide nor come to such conclusion which portion of the disputed border areas of Assam-Nagaland will fall under whose jurisdiction on the basis of the Topo-sheet prepared by the Survey of India wherein the Survey of India has also categorically stated that the boundary shown on the Topo-sheet in regard to the inter-State boundary between Assam and Nagaland is yet to be verified on the ground. Since the above matter is subjudice in the Supreme Court, matter may be left for the court to adjudicate and to the Government of Nagaland and Assam to decide and not left to some cheap correspondent from Jorhat.
In the light of the above and in the interest of both the States and the people specifically living in the border areas along the disputed border belt, I would like to request your esteemed daily to kindly restrain your Correspondent from cheap and irresponsible reporting without facts on the Assam-Nagaland border issue as this may lead to serious law and order problem, but rather focus on unbiased reporting in the larger interest of maintaining peace and harmony all along the disputed border areas of Assam-Nagaland and towards an amicable solution of the border problem between the two sister states.