DC-level talks fail to achieve breakthrough
Ongoing tension along the Assam-Nagaland border in Mokokchung district continues even as the much-hyped meeting between Deputy Commissioners (DCs) of Jorhat and Mokokchung held at Circuit House in Jorhat on Wednesday failed to achieve any breakthrough over the economic blockade imposed on Nagaland since November 15, by some Assam-based organisations.
However, as a goodwill gesture, the Assam-based organisations responsible for the indefinite economic blockade against Nagaland announced a relaxation for 36 hours from 6 am on November 25.
Sources said the organisation leaders decided to relax the blockade for 36 hours in view of the joint meeting of DCs and SPs of Jorhat and Mokokchung districts that had been scheduled later during the day in Jorhat.
DC Jorhat Roshni Aparanji Korati assured her Mokokchung counterpart Limawabang Jamir that Jorhat district administration would try to convince the organisations to lift the blockade and exercise restraint. Addressing a press conference after the closed-door meeting Korati reiterated that construction (the flashpoint at Aosenden village jurisdiction) was not allowed in the disputed area as per the agreement of 1972.
Korati informed that she had asked DC Mokokchung to remove Nagaland Police from the epicentres of the stand-off between the two States, so that Assam Police would also be withdrawn.
She informed the media that both the district administrations resolved that the points raised by both sides would be placed before their respective higher-ups, whose decisions would then be shared between the two sides.
The Jorhat DC said both Jorhat and Mokokchung district administrations also resolved to exercise restraint on their respective jurisdictions, so that peace and harmony was maintained at the border.
DC Mokokchung Limawabang Jamir said both sides also agreed to have further deliberations on a regular basis so as to ensure that such incidents are not repeated in future.
He expressed the hope that the current crisis would be resolved at the earliest as both the State governments were working seriously to resolve the crisis.
In this regard, Jamir appealed to public of Mokokchung and Jorhat districts to exercise maximum restrain during such crisis.
The economic blockade against Nagaland was imposed at New Sonowal border outpost on Mariani-Mokokchung road.