Villagers stop Assam Forest staff from cutting trees

A group of villagers reportedly prevented Assam Forest department personnel from cutting down areca nut trees at Madhupur area, under Tchuchanphen village—a Nagaland government recognised village.
Speaking to Nagaland Post, border magistrate of Uriamghat, Tsenthungo E Ngullie, informed on August 20 at around 3:40pm, information regarding felling of areca nut trees by personnel of the Assam Forest department was received.
On reaching the site, Ngullie said around 70 villagers had assembled to stop the activities of the Assam Forest personnel.
Prior to their intervention, he said approximately 50-60 areca nut trees had already been cut. He said Assam Forest personnel were reportedly preparing the land for plantation of other trees.
According to border magistrate, no prior information was given to the Nagaland authorities regarding the activities carried out by Assam Forest department.
He said it was, however, mutually agreed on the spot that a status quo would be maintained by both parties in the said area until further deliberations were held between the counterparts.