Reacting to the recent border incident involving Mariani MLA Rupjyoti Kurmi, the Tsürangkong Range Naga Youth Front (TRNYF) Sunday said it was “greatly disturbed to hear about the intimidations by the goons” of the MLA aided by Assam police at Vikuto village on May 27.
In a press release, TRNYF president Bendangwati and general secretary Shiluyongdang stated that the MLA, as seen in the video being circulated, was “clearly inside the border at his own whims and fancies” disregarding the protocols and provoking the citizens of Nagaland.
TRNYF alleged that recent incident was not the first time that Rupjyoti Kurmi had indulged in “such theatrics and misadventures” in the border areas. “He keeps using it from time to time just to benefit his political ambitions,” TRNYF claimed, adding that he suddenly becomes very active just before elections and starts provoking the innocent public of both the states.
It said that May 27 incident was one of MLA’s many tactics just to fool his electorate that he was doing something after his recent victory.
Pointing out that the border issue between Nagaland and Assam was sub judice, the TRNYF, however, said that it would not succumb to the tactics of “a desperate politician who capatalises on the border issue by fooling the innocent public.”
The front said that Nagas share age old ties with all the people of upper Assam especially after the Ahom Kingdom was established.
TRNYF, however, said that the people who were not originally from the area may not actually know the historical facts in detail.
In this regard, TRNYF has urged the Assamese people to speak out and correct such persons and to restrain those elements trying to break the age old ties that the people of two states shared.
The youth front has reminded the MLA that a politician of his stature should not indulge in such misadventures. Affirming its faith in the “long arms of the law”, the TRNYF said it would go to great lengths to ensure that “rabble rousers are brought to justice.”
Urging the MLA not to underestimate Nagas by misconstruing their patience and rationality, the TRNYF said that Naga culture neither idolised and nor demonised any individual but if provoked they would not remain silent.
Meanwhile, youth front has urged the state government to “wake up from the slumber” and ensure that better administration was done in the border areas. TRNYF said that the government swings into action only when there was a border tension and the supply chain was disrupted.
It demanded that the state government immediately start border outposts in the volatile areas bordering Assam and enforce strict protocol by both parties to ensure such incidents did not repeat.