Mediators for boundary disputes arrive Nagaland

Mediators for Assam-Nagaland boundary disputes appointed by Supreme Court of India Sriram Panchu and Niranjan Bhatt both senior advocates had a brief meeting with the district administrators of Assam and Nagaland, other officials and NGOs’ at ADC Niuland Conference Hall on November 17.
Upon their arrival, the team visited A, B, C sectors of Dhansiri sub-division of Golaghat district (Assam) and Merapani/Maratchu, Old Ralan, Rengmapani and other Areas of Wokha district (Nagaland) for spot assessment.
According to an official bulletin, while interacting with officials of both states and NGOs, senior advocate, Sriram Panchu said “It is once in a lifetime opportunity to do something fruitful for the people of two neighbouring states and their responsibility is to bring out an agreement out of cohesive approach through meditation”.
Senior advocate, Niranjan Bhatt in his short speech said the aspiration of Supreme Court of India was for amicable solution through negotiation and dialogue between two neighbouring states.
In this regard, he appealed for cooperation from both the states and looked forward for a better future, as the two neighbouring states desired to live in harmony only through negotiation and dialogue will bring solution to the problem.
Deputy commissioner, Dimapur, Maongwati Aier while welcoming the mediators and his counterpart and other officials from both the states, said both the states had high expectations and added the visit will bring forth solution for a peaceful co-existence.
Maongwati also said to tackle law and order situation and for information sharing between Assam and Nagaland, the administration conducts coordination meeting quarterly.
Western Sumi Hoho, president, Luhevi Sumi in his short speech said Sumi as a community settled in the western sector way back in 1911 under Assam with the permission of British government as India was under the British Empire, as a result, he said the settlement of the community was part and parcel of Assam till Naga Hill attained full fledged statehood in 1963 with the 16 Point Agreement and further believed Assam being the parent state, Naga as a whole had the right to inherit the parent’s property.
He also added Nagas have no dispute with Assam, however he said problem arises due to migrating labourers from outside.
The two Supreme Court senior advocates were accompanied by assistant mediators, Aparana Vasu and Priyadarshini Vakil.
The advocates were accompanied by District Administrators of Golaghat (Assam), Dimapur and Wokha (Nagaland) and various officials of the states and officials from central neutral force.