Protests Erupt in Mariani Over Road Transfer to Nagaland
Protests Against Road Transfer in Mariani
Members of AASAA protesting against the land transfer in Mariani on Tuesday (Photo: AT)
Jorhat, June 16: The decision to transfer a significant section of a road project in the Disputed Area Belt (DAB) to the Nagaland government has sparked protests in Mariani. The All Adivasi Students' Association of Assam (AASAA) claims this move could lead to future territorial disputes with the neighboring state.
On Tuesday, members of the association held a demonstration in Mariani, presenting documents that indicate a large part of the Mariani-Dessoi Road is set to be handed over to Nagaland's Public Works Department for reconstruction.
A document from the Director General Border Roads, dated February 17, 2026, outlines a proposal to divide the 21.695-km road between the two states.
The initial 7.20 km, starting from Kathalguri Tini-Ali in Mariani through the Dissoi Valley Reserved Forest, will remain under Assam's jurisdiction, while the remaining 14.495 km, extending to the Assam Police border outpost at New Sonowal, will be transferred to Nagaland.
The document specifies that project authorities must finalize the handover process. This road was initially built by the Border Roads Organisation.
The AASAA has voiced strong opposition to this transfer, with an official stating that the decision contradicts the government's commitment to safeguarding Assam's land and the rights of its indigenous people.
"We observe that the same government that promised to protect our land has now permitted Nagaland to build a road within Assam's territory," the official remarked.
The student leader emphasized that the entire road segment lies within Assam's territory up to the interstate boundary and questioned the rationale behind transferring reconstruction duties to another state.
"There have been multiple instances in conflict-prone regions like Dissoi Valley where the Nagaland government has erected signboards claiming those areas. Once this road is built, it is likely that Nagaland will also assert ownership over it," he warned.
The protesters clarified that they do not oppose the BRO or the Assam government managing the reconstruction but are firmly against transferring this responsibility to Nagaland.
"If the BRO cannot maintain the road, the Assam government should take charge. We suspect a conspiracy to gradually transfer land that rightfully belongs to Assam," the student leader stated.
Calling for immediate action, the AASAA warned that their protests would escalate if the matter is not resolved. "We demand urgent discussions and intervention from the Assam government to ensure this stretch remains under its control. Otherwise, tribal communities, student organizations, and local residents will be forced to initiate a larger democratic movement," the office-bearer declared.
This protest follows a recent tripartite memorandum of understanding signed by Assam and Nagaland with the Centre for joint oil and gas exploration in the disputed border area, covering over 1,000 sq km of contested land, with resources to be shared equally between the two states.
The timing of the road transfer, shortly after this MoU, has heightened concerns among local organizations regarding the trajectory of Assam's border policy.