Stage set for AASU's 'border march' showdown

By Staff
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Google Oneindia News

Mariani, Assam-Nagaland border, Aug 6 (UNI) With the vexed boundary imbroglio in the North East refusing to die down, the spotlight will be on this small railway township on Wednesday when over 3,000 student activists would march to the New Chuntia border outpost from here in an apparent bid to claim Asom's 'territory'.

The first-of-its-kind agitation, which is seen as a manifestation of anger of the public in the wake of the recurring incidents of clashes, violence and encroachment along the border areas, has turned the heat on the Jorhat district administration, especially after reported threats from underground outfits in Nagaland to the programme.

Asom claims that the actual constitutional boundary of the state extends to the New Chuntia border outpost even as Nagaland police has set up a permanent camp, 17 km inside it, and miscreants were encroaching much beyond that.

''We are determined to carry out the march. When the state government can't address the problem, we are bound to take such steps. We will not allow even an inch of Asom's territory to be subjugated,'' All Assam Students Union (AASU) president Shankar Prasad Rai told UNI.

He said the student activists would raise a flag in the border outpost, manned by around 20 Assam Police personnel.

''It is the duty of the government to ensure protection to the protesters in the event of any untoward incidents. When we are moving in our own territory, then why should we fear?'' Mr Rai said.

According to Asom government records, suspected Naga miscreants have encroached over 25,000 hectares of land in the three reserve forests - Dessoi, Dessoi Valley and Tiru Hills - adjacent to this town of Jorhat district.

In the neighbouring Sivasagar district, suspected miscreants from Nagaland last month attacked three villages, setting ablaze dozens of houses, killing three persons and slaughtering cattle.

When asked about the steps taken by the police to ensure that there are no untoward incidents during the march, IGP (Border) RN Singh said, '' We are ensuring all possible steps. We are in contact with the district administration. Hopefully the programme passes off peacefully.'' Meanwhile, a delegation of the AASU met the Jorhat district administration this evening.

AASU leader Biren Saikia, who is leading the programme, said, ''The district administration tried to persuade the student body to rethink the decision as they are not in a position to arrange for adequate security.'' However, Mr Saikia argued, that when the encroached areas in the district are yet to declared 'disputed', there should be no hesitation to move in the places.

He reiterated that the student body would go ahead with the programme.

The administration is learnt to have told the AASU that if there was any untoward incident during the programme, it would have a 'negative' impact on Asom, especially considering that a Supreme Court appointed panel is looking into the dispute.

The administration is likely to meet tomorrow again when senior officials reach the headquarters to monitor the developments.

UNI

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