Nagaland: Congress slams DAN on AASU blockade

Kohima, July 10: The Opposition Congress has slammed the ruling Democratic Alliance of Nagaland (DAN) for remaining mute to the crisis arising out of the economic blockade enforced by the All Assam Students' Union (AASU).

The AASU is protesting against the recent killing and arson near Anaki 'C' village under Mokokchung district, bordering Asom.

Leader of the Opposition in the Nagaland Assembly I Imkong, in a statement here today, asked the State Government to act responsibly and promptly before the situation goes out of control.

He cautioned the state government that those inhabiting the border areas and affected by the ongoing AASU agitation had threatened to take their own course of action in the event of the government's failure to ensure normalcy.

Mr Imkong appealed to both the Asom and Nagaland governments to initiate immediate measures to end the blockade which has badly hit the supply of essential commodities to Mon, Mokokchung, Longleng, Tuensang and Kiphire districts of Nagaland.

The Congress leader also expressed deep concern over the inaction of the Asom Government towards restoring normalcy and urged the people of Assam to desist from enforcing blockades.

Meanwhile, Nagaland Commissioner and Additional Chief Secretary T N Mannen said the blockade was a case of 'provocation' by Asom which was only 'aggravating the situation'. Pointing out some stray incidents of violence in and around Anaki 'C' village in the past, Mannen said the AASU should not have enforced the blockade in the entire border areas in the wake of the July 5 incident of arson and killing near the village.

He described Asom's demand for all Anaki 'C' villagers to surrender before the Asom Police as 'illogical' and justified the remote possibility of the involvement of Nagas in the incident by pointing out that both the victims were tenants of the Nagas and worked in their field.

Mr Mannen also disclosed that the road connecting Merangkong and Tamlu had been cleared for transportation of essential commodities to the affected areas.

It was also learnt that the state government held a high-level meeting last evening to discuss matters pertaining to the blockade towards Nagaland, but the outcome of the meeting was not immediately known.

UNI