High alert along Assam-Naga border after tension at Rongkham

Jorhat (Assam), May 3: Security forces have been kept on "high alert" along the Assam-Nagaland border in Jorhat district to prevent any untoward situation following reports of temporary houses being built by people from Nagaland.

According to Jorhat Superintendent of Police Amanjit Kaur "security forces from both the states were kept on high alert" so that no third force could enter either side for creating more problem.

She said the police have received reports of local residents from both the sides being prepared to fight with weapons like bow, arrow, spears and guns at Rongkham area in Tiru Hills Reserve Forest under Teok police station.

Tension prevailed following reported encroachment of Assam land by people from Nagaland and erecting over 60 huts in the area that falls in the D-sector of the border belt between the two states.

Kaur said the huts were demolished this morning by the Assam Police in presence of the Nagaland Police after they were confirmed to be illegal by the Jorhat district administration and the Forest Department.

Additional forces comprising special task force, police commandos and troops were deployed and Assam Police have set up seven temporary camps near the entry and exit points from Nagaland in Rongkham since last evening, she said.

On the other hand, talks between administrations of Mokokchung and Jorhat districts were on to diffuse the tension at the earliest.

Since 1979, the Assam-Nagaland border was divided into six sectors - A, B, C, D, E and F - falling under Sivasagar, Jorhat, Golaghat and Karbi Anglong districts.

The normal day-to-day security was provided by a "neutral force" and not the police of the two states. In 1988, the Assam government had filed a case in the Supreme Court, which formed a Mediation Committee to give a report on the disputed land.

In August last year, nine persons were killed in firing and arson at Uriamghat area in Golaghat district by miscreants from Nagaland along the inter-state border.

Over 200 houses were set ablaze and around 10,000 people fled their homes and took shelter in 12 relief camps set up by the authorities.

PTI