Assam May Lodge Contempt Case Against Nagaland Over Disputed Border Areas: DGP GP Singh

A CORRESPONDENT

JORHAT: Special DGP GP Singh has said that there is a possibility of filing a contempt case against Nagaland for the violation of the Supreme Court's order to maintain the status quo in disputed border areas between the two States.

The matter is sub judice as the Apex Court is hearing a case on the border dispute between the two states.

Singh visited the Assam-Nagaland border at Balijan Pahar following a direction from Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma following the firing by miscreants from Nagaland at Mariani Congress MLA Rupjyoti Kurmi and people accompanying him on Thursday afternoon.

Kurmi had gone to Balijan Pahar, a hilly terrain about 3 km away from New Sonowal Border Outpost in Assam, to verify whether reports of Naga encroachment in his constituency was true.

GP Singh said that he had directed the SP and DC to do a GPS location and photography videography of the Dissoi Valley Reserve Forest area where the alleged encroachment has taken place, and submit a report to the government within 48 hours. He said that the report should include whether the entire activities showing how it violates the Supreme Court direction regarding the inter-state border impasse. On receiving the report the government may take the opinion of the Law Department whether a contempt case may be filed in the Supreme Court.

He said that it was agreed upon that by Monday DC, SP level talks would be held to discuss Dissoi valley Reserve forest problems and resolve the same.

Singh acknowledged that encroachment might have occurred as forest personnel from Mariani had tried to evict the plantation, a couple of days ago.

Referring to the firing incident and MLA Kurmi's complaint at the Mariani Police Station, Singh said that he had directed the Jorhat SP to write to his counterpart in Mokokchung to find out whether the gun used in the firing was licensed, to apprehend the culprit and him over to the Jorhat police.

He also suggested that IG Border-level talks between the two states should be held to discuss the disputed boundary areas and to see that the existing agreement between the two States and SC directives are adhered to.

Singh also said that there would be joint border patrolling by forest and police personnel.

Kurmi had given 24 hours to the Assam government to evict the encroachers but there had been no action as yet.

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