Naga rebel attempts to create crisis in North East decried

Recent attempts by Naga rebel groups to create tension at the Assam-Nagaland border has come in for criticism from people in the border areas.

By Peter Alex Todd

Sivsagar (Assam), Aug 8 : Recent attempts by Naga rebel groups to create tension at the Assam-Nagaland border has come in for criticism from people in the border areas.

Over half of East Assam shares its border with Nagaland, and Naga rebels are reportedly using violent methods to achieve their dream of a Greater Nagaland.

Recently, the rebels burnt down houses and killed six people in Geleki village in Assam's Sivasagar District.

Thunu Gogoi, a villager, said: "On the night of July 5, a Naga group came and encircled the whole village and put it on fire. They also killed some people. They asked villagers to come out of their houses, and those who didn't come out, were killed."

Due to the rebel threat, people are fleeing their homes in Geleki, claims Ajay Midha, another villager.

The presence of security forces, notwithstanding, people continue to feel insecure.

Tak Bahadur Pradhan, a villager, said: "Since they burnt down our houses and livestock, the situation here is bad. Most people have fled to safer places, to relatives' houses or to relief shelters."

The All Assam Students' Union (AASU) has launched a series of agitations to pressure the Centre and State Governments, to find a solution to the boundary issue, and to provide protection to people residing in these areas.

Gufran Rahman, AASU Secretary in Geleky, said: "If the border had been finalised at the time of the division of states, these incidents would not have happened. Naga encroachment would not have taken place."

The union alleged that both governments were indifferent to the encroachment of Assam's land by neighbouring states.

Assam and Nagaland have been at loggerheads for several decades over the encroachment issue. The two have experienced incidents of bloodshed in the past.

Naga outfits like the NSCN (IM) have perpetrated violence in neighbouring states like Manipur.

Recently eleven schools in Manipur's Chandel District were burnt down.

Khesheli Chisi, the President of the Naga Mothers Association, said: "We are very much against violence. We all mothers say that violence is not a solution to our problem. The issues should be settled through non-violence."

ANI