Correspondent
WOKHA, AUG 28 (NPN): The road connecting Mekirang, Lio Longchum and Longayim villages to the highway has remained blocked following tensions along the Assam-Nagaland border on August 25 and 26, forcing residents to depend on an alternate foothill route that is currently not motorable.
Representatives of the three villages raised the issue at a press conference held at Bhandari on August 27, urging the Nagaland Government to intervene immediately, stating that the route is crucial for connectivity and movement of villagers.
Longayim Village Council chairman Wochothung said the villages are located about two kilometres from the main road connecting Merapani and Changpang.
He noted that while an alternate foothill route exists, it is in poor condition and cannot be effectively used. He appealed to the government to make the route motorable and urged the Assam Forest Department to remove barricades along the road, alleging that such restrictions have repeatedly disrupted movement and contributed to tensions.
He further alleged that some Assam based media reports had misrepresented the August 25-26 incidents, portraying Nagaland residents as armed aggressors. Referring to videos of the confrontation, he maintained that villagers had acted peacefully and claimed the incident was distorted.
Mekirang Village Council chairman Sorenthung Lotha said residents of the three villages have traditionally travelled through Merie village and maintained cordial relations with its residents.
He said the blockade had disrupted this long standing relationship and called for dialogue to resolve the matter. Lotha also appealed to the Nagaland Government to improve connectivity from the Merapani foothill area to Mekirang, stating that the stretch is approximately 5.5 kilometres.
He suggested construction of at least a chip sealed road, describing the route as essential for the survival and basic needs of the villages.
On the Negheribil issue, Lotha alleged that the area historically known as Mekirang had subsequently come to be referred to as Negheribil. He raised concerns over settlement and land related issues, alleging that Mising settlers had occupied portions of land after arriving from Majuli during floods between 1968 and 1973. He claimed that encroachment in forest reserve areas had contributed to recurring tensions and called for eviction or enforcement exercises to be carried out jointly by the Assam and Nagaland governments, applied uniformly rather than selectively.
Wochothung further claimed that the area referred to as Negheribil 2 traditionally belonged to Naga ancestors, stating that shifting cultivation practices historically involved villagers returning to the same fields after several years. He alleged that encroachment had contributed to the present tensions.
Concluding the press conference, Chumdemo N. Jami, a member of the village councils, cautioned that the situation could escalate if not addressed. He urged the Nagaland Government to take the matter seriously and engage with the Assam Government through dialogue to prevent further escalation and preserve cordial relations between border communities.