CM SEEKS PUBLIC SUPPORT TO CHECK INFLUX
Nagaland chief minister Dr Neiphiu Rio has directed chief secretary J Alam and director general of police (DGP) Rupin Sharma to enhance round-the-clock surveillance, and initiate preventive and proactive measures to detect and deport any potential influx of immigrants recently evicted from Assam.
Convening a high-level meeting at his official residence here Thursday, Rio directed the chief secretary, DGP, and other senior government and police officials to review and strengthen vigilance mechanisms along the Assam-Nagaland border.
He also instructed deployment of additional armed police forces in border areas adjoining Assam, stated a DIPR report.
Dr.Rio asked the administration, police, and all enforcement agencies to take all necessary steps to prevent immigrants entering Nagaland and also remain on high alert and act decisively to uphold the integrity and security of the state’s borders.
Besides strengthening border vigilance, he also directed enforcement agencies to undertake identification and eviction of all immigrants who could be residing in other parts of the state.
The chief minister also appealed to all sections of society, particularly community leaders and public , to remain vigilant and extend full cooperation to enforcement authorities.
He underscored that collective responsibility and coordinated action between the public and government agencies were essential to protecting the interests and security of Nagaland.
Dr. Rio reiterated that the state government was committed to taking all necessary steps to ensure that the borders of Nagaland remained secure and that illegal infiltration was effectively prevented.
At the meeting the DGP disclosed that directives had already been issued to the commissioner of police, Dimapur; superintendents of police (SPs), and commandants to hold coordination meetings with district administrations.
DGP also informed that officers-in-charge (OCs) of police stations, especially in border regions, have been tasked to visit all villages, conduct coordination meetings with village councils and elders, and report any new entrants to the police and district administration. He also informed that all the SPs had been instructed to submit daily reports to the additional director general of police (law & order).
The chief secretary stressed on the importance of maintaining a register of Inner Line Permit (ILP) holders in every village, to be overseen by the respective village councils. He also directed officials to immediately report to administration and police on the presence of any suspected immigrants or unidentified individuals.
PATTON VISITS BORDER AREAS
Staff Reporter
DIMAPUR, JUL 24 (NPN): Deputy chief minister Y Patton, in-charge of Home and Border Affairs, visited vulnerable locations in Ralan area under Wokha and Niuland districts bordering Assam on Thursday to assess the situation following the eviction of suspected Bangladeshi immigrants in Assam.
Patton held meetings at Liphanyan (Ralan area in Wokha district) and Niuland in the presence of officials of both the districts. His visit came amid reports that some evicted immigrants might have entered Nagaland. Patton was accompanied by 40 Bhandari A/C legislator Achumbemo Kikon, senior officials from the district administration and police, Lotha Students’ Union president Lirhonthung E Kithan, and members of Ralan Area Public Organisation, and civil society. He held public meetings and interacted with residents to understand the ground realities.
In his meeting, Patton maintained that the crackdown on immigrants was not merely a border issue but a national concern requiring cooperation from all stakeholders. In order to strengthen this effort, he informed that the state government has stationed one company of IRB personnel at Governor Camp, Liphanyan.
Patton also urged upon villagers to cooperate with IRB personnel and report unfamiliar individuals as government effort alone was not enough to curb the influx without public support.
He assured that additional forces would be deployed if necessary, not only in Wokha and Niuland but also across other sensitive border areas.
On reports that Assam might carry out similar eviction drives in Ralan area bordering Assam, Patton said any such action should be a joint operation involving Nagaland Police, Assam Police, and CRPF.
He directed the CRPF personnel stationed in Ralan to maintain neutrality during such exercises.
He disclosed that both the Assam and Nagaland governments had held meetings on the issue, and agreed that any eviction drive in Nagaland should be carried out jointly.
Patton also reminded landowners that “physical occupation” of land was vital, and encouraged those with property in Ralan to construct houses. He assured full protection in the event of eviction drives.
He urged the public to refrain from spreading rumours, and instead verify any incident and report it to the authorities concerned, emphasising responsible community action during sensitive times.
Patton thanked chief minister Dr Neiphiu Rio for his prompt attention and commitment to address the issue, claiming that Rio’s proactive involvement reflected the seriousness with which the matter had been handled.
Speaking at the public meeting during the border visit, Achumbemo Kikon stated that Nagaland had long been burdened by illegal immigrants.
He clarified that there was no dispute between Assam and Nagaland, but the unchecked presence of illegal settlers at border areas had created tensions for both states.
He blamed previous Assam governments for encouraging illegal immigrants to encroach upon Naga lands. However, he noted that the present Assam government had acknowledged the issue and was now taking corrective steps.
He declared support to Assam’s evictions on the condition -that any eviction drive affecting Ralan area must be carried out jointly with Nagaland authorities.
He asserted that lands in Ralan were ancestral properties of Nagas, and warned that unilateral action would be opposed by the Nagaland government.
Achumbemo also said the state was taking the eviction in Assam seriously as the deputy commissioner (DC) Wokha Vineet Kumar informed he held meetings with his Golaghat (Assam) counterpart and superintendent of police (SP). He said both sides agreed on a joint eviction drive, assuring that no Naga families would be affected.
SP Wokha M Rhovishe Nyuwi also assured security during the eviction drive, declaring that immigrants would not be allowed to enter Nagaland and police force would be deployed. He appealed for public support and vigilance in this regard.
Commissioner of Police Dimapur, Kevithuto Sophie, affirmed that police would be working round the clock to maintain law and order, with the full support and confidence of the present government.
DC Niuland, Sara S Jamir, also highlighted the challenges in addressing the immigration issue and expressed gratitude to the deputy chief minister for his unwavering support. She added that the district administration, along with all concerned agencies, is actively working round the clock with the confidence and backing of the government to manage the situation effectively.