Assam Government Seeks New Talks with Nagaland to Resolve Border Dispute
High-Level Discussions Proposed
Assam Cabinet Minister Atul Bora (extreme right) with Mariani MLA (middle) while visiting border disputed area in Jorhat (Photo: @ATULBORA2/X)
Jorhat, July 1: The Assam administration has initiated plans for a new series of high-level discussions with Nagaland to address the longstanding border dispute. Border Protection and Development Minister Atul Bora emphasized that dialogue is essential for achieving a lasting resolution.
During his visit to the Disputed Area Belt (DAB) in the Disoi Valley Reserved Forest along the Assam-Nagaland border in Mariani, Bora reiterated the government's commitment to alleviating the ongoing tensions affecting local residents.
He stated, "The conflict between Assam and Nagaland has persisted for years, causing distress for those living in border regions. Our goal is to find a definitive solution. The Chief Minister is pursuing a give-and-take approach to resolve these interstate issues through conversation."
Bora drew comparisons to Assam's successful border agreements with Meghalaya and Arunachal Pradesh, asserting that the state prefers to resolve disputes through dialogue and cooperation.
He noted, "Regional committees have been established, joint inspections conducted, and reports prepared, but similar advancements have not been achieved with Nagaland to date."
Highlighting the differing claims from both states regarding the disputed territories, Bora mentioned that local residents have raised concerns about breaches of previous agreements, while Nagaland officials have their own interpretations of the situation.
"Thus, I believe it is crucial to conduct another high-level discussion, whether administrative or political. While court proceedings will continue, ongoing community conflicts will only prolong the suffering of residents and hinder development," he added.
In response to accusations that Assam's territory was being ceded to Nagaland, Bora refuted these claims, asserting that his visit was intended to evaluate the situation directly.
"At times, certain decisions may be necessary to prevent or mitigate conflicts, but that does not imply any alteration of the border," he clarified.
The minister also inspected the site for a proposed Border Roads Organisation (BRO) project in the Mariani area, which has recently heightened tensions in the disputed region.
Bora indicated that a final decision regarding the project would be made after discussions with local MLA Rupjyoti Kurmi, the district administration, and Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma.
"Future actions will be determined with the state's interests and the welfare of the people in mind," he stated.
This visit followed a tour by Gaurav Gogoi, president of the Assam Pradesh Congress Committee and Jorhat MP, who criticized both the Assam and Central governments for neglecting the needs of residents in the disputed area.
Recent tensions in the Mariani sector have centered around the proposed road project, conflicting land ownership claims, and ongoing objections to development activities in the disputed zone. Local residents have called for tripartite discussions involving the Centre and the governments of Assam and Nagaland to reach a sustainable resolution.
In a separate incident on Wednesday, Jorhat Police apprehended a government employee and seized an illegal .22-calibre pistol along with 23 rounds of live ammunition during a raid in Borhola, a village near the Assam-Nagaland border.
The suspect, Bijoy Krishna Bora, a Grade-IV employee at Shankar Madhab High School, was arrested at his rented home in Nagabat.
Authorities reported that the suspect confessed during questioning that he had obtained the firearm and ammunition from Nagaland. Investigations are ongoing to uncover potential connections to an illegal arms trafficking network operating along the Assam-Nagaland border.