Battalion camps to be set up at strategic locations along Assam-Nagaland boundary: CM Sarma

* "Battalions have been also authorized to carry out operations, if necessary"

BOUNDARY DISPUTES

STAFF REPORTER

GUWAHATI: Battalion camps will be set up at strategic locations along the Assam-Nagaland boundary. For the first time, these Battalions have been also authorized to carry out operations, if necessary.

This was stated by Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma during 'Question Hour' on the first day of the 15 working-day Budget session of the Assam Assembly. The session will conclude on August 13, 2021.

In reply to a written question by 'Leader of Opposition' Debabrata Saikia, Chief Minister Sarma stated that he had written a letter to his Nagaland counterpart Neiphiu Rio's earlier letter on the boundary issue. In his reply to Rio, Sarma wrote in the letter dated June 26, 2021 that "as rightly highlighted by you, we too have always been of the view that amicable settlement of border disputes are of paramount importance to ensure peaceful coexistence of neighbouring villages of the two States."

Assam Chief Minister Sarma further suggested in the letter to Nagaland Chief Minister Rio, "I suggest that there may be DC (Deputy Commissioner)-level coordination for the concerned districts on either side of the border as one such mechanism in the field. Similarly, the Chief Secretary or Home Secretary-level interaction at the State-level can successfully resolve such issues.

"I would also suggest that both the States issue necessary instructions to the villagers in and around the disputed areas not to take law and order in their hands; and also to participate in the matter in future."

Chief Minister Sarma also informed the House that since 2016 there have been 290 incidents of encroachments by the people from Nagaland, Mizoram, Meghalaya and Arunachal Pradesh. Of these 290 encroachments, there have been 99 such attempts at various points of the Nagaland boundary; followed by 42 on the Mizoram boundary; 40 on the Meghalaya boundary; and 28 at several points of the boundary with Arunachal Pradesh. Altogether, 127 cases have been registered in this regard; and three encroachers of other States have been arrested. Of them, two are from Nagaland, and one is from Meghalaya."

Chief Minister Sarma pointed out, "As on date, two cases on the inter-State boundary dispute are with the Supreme Court; one is with reference to Nagaland (Original Suit No. 2/1988) while the other is with Arunachal Pradesh (Original Suit No. 1/1989)."

Also read: Assam Police on alert along Mizoram border: CM Himanta Biswa Sarma

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