AASU threatens "economic blockade" against Nagaland
Jorhat: The All Assam Students Union (AASU) threatened to launch an economic blockade against the state of Nagaland if it continues the encroachment of Assam land. The apex student body would not allow the neighbouring state to take even an inch of Assam's land.
A team of AASU members from Jorhat visited Nagajanka, the area where the Nagaland administration had set up a police camp inside Dissoi Valley Reserve Forest under Mariani Range of Jorhat forest division.
Following which, a team of Assam Police set up a camp near the spot to stop the further invasion.
The step taken by Nagaland has triggered tension along the Assam-Nagaland border.
Discussions followed between the officials of Jorhat and Mokokchung districts. The officials from Jorhat has demanded Nagaland to dismantle the bamboo and tarpaulin structure as it was constructed on the disputed land.
A few years ago, the Supreme Court has ruled out to maintain the status quo in the disputed areas and no state should make any construction until the conflict is resolved.
On November 9, the Assam Police demolished a temporary structure which was reportedly constructed by the Mokokchung district administration. Two days after dismantling the temporary structure, another camp was set up by the Nagaland Administration, which could house 25 people and had a separate room for rations.
AASU criticized the government of Assam for its failure to protect the state's land. They also criticised chief minister Sarbananda Sonowal, who is also in charge of the home department.
The AASU leaders said that the CM of Assam is staying silent on the issue, even after Nagaland managed to construct two Border Out Posts (BOPs) at Nagajanka, inside Assam territory. However, the AASU highly praised the Assam Police for taking up a confrontational position. The students body also alleged that the Assam Police personnel were short of food items and drinking water.
The AASU unit alleged that Nagaland has encroached 82% of Dissoi Valley Reserve Forest. The general secretary of AASU, Jorhat, Dip Dutta said that the team went to boost the morale of Assam Police. They have also threatened that if the government do not push back the Nagas, they would start an agitation if required, an economic blockade.