Correspondent
WOKHA, AUG 28 (NPN): Amid continuing tension along the Assam-Nagaland border following incidents at Negheribil on August 25 and 26, advisor for SCERT and food processing Achumbemo Kikon, said he was closely monitoring the situation and pursuing measures to restore peace and road connectivity to affected villages.
The recent incidents disrupted the road connecting Longayim, Lio Longchum and Mekirang, forcing residents to depend on an alternate foothill route.
Kikon, MLA 40 Bhandari assembly constituency, said he had remained in constant touch with the border magistrate, deputy commissioner and superintendent of police, Wokha.
Advisor said he was not present at the site as officials had informed him that the situation was under control. However, he said the matter had been taken up at higher levels and efforts were underway to de-escalate tensions.
On the road connectivity issue, Kikon said the proposed stretch fell under the foothill road alignment.
He said the alignment under Changpang circle was discussed during the state Cabinet meeting at Doyang on August 6, where the PWD (R&B) presented a detailed survey and proposed alignment.
According to Kikon, the alignment has now been finalised and approved by the Cabinet.
MLA said the delay in sanctioning funds was linked to the absence of a finalised alignment. With the alignment now approved, he urged the state government and the concerned department to expedite the process and make the road motorable at the earliest.
Kikon said he was taking a personal interest in the matter, particularly because of the difficulties faced by residents of the border villages, and would continue pursuing it with the government.
On the prevailing tension, Kikon said the government was making efforts to reduce tensions and would take all necessary steps to maintain peace.
Referring to the recent meeting between deputy chief minister Y. Patton and Assam chief minister Himanta Biswa Sarma, he said the discussions were cordial and that the border issue was being treated seriously at the highest level.
On the eviction of alleged illegal settlers in the disputed area, Kikon said such exercises had been undertaken jointly by the Assam and Nagaland governments and would continue.
He said the area remained disputed and the matter was pending before the Supreme Court for final adjudication. Therefore, he maintained that neither side could unilaterally exercise authority over the area and that activities such as plantation and eviction should be carried out jointly.
Recalling the history of the area, Kikon said an agricultural link road had been constructed there during the tenure of late T. Kikon as agriculture minister.
He alleged that the area subsequently became disputed because of encroachment and said this was among the factors contributing to the present tensions.
However, he appealed to all sides to refrain from violence and said the issue should be resolved through dialogue, mutual understanding and peaceful means.
Kikon assured the affected villagers that he would continue to pursue the matter with the government and work toward an early and lasting resolution of the Assam-Nagaland border issue.