Advisor law & justice and land revenue TN Manen has rejected the Assam border protection minister Atul Bora’s claim made in Assam Assembly that Nagaland was occupying 60000 hectares of Assam land.
During zero-hour in the ongoing session of the assembly on the “Assam Nagaland Border”, Manen described Assam minister’s claim as “a lie and far from truth.” He said it was Assam that was illegally reserving traditional land belonging to the original Nagas, which was illegally transferred out of Naga owners. Advisor stated that since the British India, the Nagas had been protesting and claiming to return to the original Nagaland owner. He stated that Assam had not been respecting the agreement made according to interim agreement management. Manen said there was no question of Nagas encroaching of land, but it was the other way round. He also stated that the state chief minister Neiphiu Rio had tried his best to bring about a share of oil royalty with Assam. He called upon the entire Naga people to stress on protecting Naga area. “And I hope the chief Minister of Nagaland with all his wisdom and experience gained over the years will ensure not to compromise the core issue of our right with all his diplomatic dexterity, and we are confident that useful time person negotiate with the other side of the party for our mutual benefit,” Manen said.
He urged the members of the house and the public to look into this important issue where Naga future lay.
He also said that for the mutual benefit of the people of Nagaland, and for the future of the Nagas, great importance should be given to the crude oil deposit on the Assam-Nagaland border.
Replying to TN Mannen, deputy chief minister and minister-in-charge of border affairs, Y Patton, shared various steps taken by the state government including legal proceedings in the Supreme Court. He also stated that encroachment of land in Assam by Nagaland did not arise, as it did not occupy any land illegally. He added that the state government would continue to take measures to resolve the border issue with Assam while the rights of the people and the state were protected.
Achumbemo Kikon, MLA, while raising the issue of road construction on NH-02 at Wokha town during the Zero Hour highlighted the series of events that led to the agitation called by the civil organizations and remedial steps taken by the elected members from Wokha. Kikon urged the members of the house for an immediate solution as the agitation has only been temporarily suspended.
Replying to Kikon, deputy chief minister and minister-in-charge National Highways, TR Zeliang, shed a light on the activities taken up the department. He called upon the elected members of Wokha to urge the CSOs to call off the agitation as the government was doing all it can for timely completion of the project.