Tensions escalated along the Assam-Nagaland border following reports of the Nagaland administration demanding immediate halt to Oil and Natural Gas Corporation (ONGC) drilling activities in Uriamghat, Golaghat district, The Assam Tribune report stated.
According to the report, a team comprising Nagaland police and a border magistrate visited the site, demanding immediate halt to oil extraction activities at the site, despite the presence of CRPF and CISF personnel. The report said that the Nagaland officials reportedly visited several ONGC-operated oil fields in Uriamghat area, including Khuraghat and Haldhibari.
Meanwhile, the All Assam Students’ Union (AASU) has condemned the threat, calling it an “aggressive act” and urging the Assam government to take necessary measures.
A spokesperson for the student body told The Assam Tribune, “The way the Naga authorities entered Assam land and threatened the people in the area is completely unacceptable. Such incidents have been occurring for too long between the two neighbouring states. We strongly condemn this action.”
“How can we allow another state’s authorities to come to our land and threaten us? The Assam government must take firm steps to safeguard our interests. If not, we will be forced to take to the streets in protest,” the AASU representative warned.
Meanwhile, tensions over ONGC operations have been brewing in the district, with reports of extortion by some Naga miscreants in recent months. In January, ONGC relocated its drilling activities from Sarupathar to Uriamghat due to alleged threats from miscreants from across the border.