LLRPO ex-president commends Dy. CM Patton’s intervention in eviction drive

Former president of the Lotha Lower Range Public Organisation (LLRPO) and Supreme Court witness W.Y. Kithan has lauded the timely intervention of Deputy Chief Minister Y. Patton in the Disturbed Area Belt (DAB) regions of Ralan and Niuland, which helped de-escalate tensions during recent eviction drives.
In a statement, Kithan acknowledged Patton’s personal visits to the affected areas on July 24 and August 23, where he coordinated with Assam authorities to prevent further flare-ups. The joint efforts were supported by Achumbemo Kikon MLA of 40 A/C Bhandari and Y. Mhonbemo Humtsoe MLA of 38 A/C, alongside officials from Wokha district administration, Nagaland Police, and hundreds of Lotha citizens. A border meeting was held with Assam’s Forest Minister, resulting in the halting of plantation activities and boundary pillar installations that lacked proper coordination.
Kithan strongly condemned misinformation circulated by local media on August 21, which he claimed led to Patton’s public outburst on August 23. He cautioned journalists against reporting without verifying facts and warned that defaming the Deputy CM’s efforts would not be taken lightly.
As a witness to the ongoing Assam-Nagaland boundary case in the Supreme Court, Kithan provided a brief overview of the legal proceedings initiated by Assam on December 10, 1988. He noted that while the case remains pending, both states have shown growing interest in resolving the matter through people-to-people dialogue outside the court.
Kithan appealed to the Chief Ministers of both states to prioritize a peaceful resolution, emphasizing that the failure to demarcate boundaries during Nagaland’s statehood inauguration in 1963 under the 16-Point Agreement has been a longstanding source of conflict.
He concluded by urging both governments to address the issue with sincerity and commitment, for the benefit of the people on both sides of the border.