Arms to safeguard from Naga encroachment

Guwahati, Aug 7 (UNI) The Assam Assembly today mulled over the possibility of arming its citizens in the border areas to defend themselves from Naga encroachment.

The Opposition and the treasury bench in unison expressed serious concern over the unabated encroachment situation in the state from Nagaland with at least two speakers proposing to arm the citizens in their own defence.

''If it is legally possible, the populace of the border should be provided with arms to protect themselves from Naga encroachment,'' said CPI leader and one of the senior-most member of the House Dhrupad Burgaohain.

He was strongly supported by AGP MLA Binod Kumar Gowala, who alleged, ''Due to ecause of lack of sincerity from Assam and the Union Government, the Naga border problem kept returning to haunt Assam.'' He also demanded arming of the villagers.

Replying to the debate, Assam Border Area Development Minister Gautam Roy admitted that border area was not developed and border outposts was not strengthened earlier because of lack of fund. He also informed the House that this year the budget had been increased to Rs 10 crore.

He asserted that no area of Assam would be allowed to be encroached by any other state and it would be fiercely resisted.

''I hereby urge all members (of the House) to further pressurise the government to release more funds so that border roads, outposts and other installations could be further strengthened and illegal encroachment can be stopped from other states,'' he said.

Right now Assam Government is facing an encroachment problem from Nagaland, Arunachal Pradesh and Mizoram.

Assam's problem with encroachment from Nagaland is a three-decade-old and had been presented before the Supreme Court.

Border skirmishes still continue with three more people from Assam being killed and a road blockade on Nagaland being enforced by angry students' organisations.

UNI