Joint Inspection by Assam and Nagaland Authorities Addresses Border Tensions
Joint Ground Inspection in Jorhat
Jorhat, Jul 6: Officials from Assam and Nagaland carried out a long-anticipated joint inspection in the Dissoi Valley Reserved Forest in Jorhat on Saturday, following numerous allegations of illegal encroachments by Naga settlers.
The Assam delegation was led by the Sub-Divisional Police Officer from Titabar and the Range Forest Officer from Mariani, while the Nagaland team was headed by the Mokokchung Sub-Divisional Police Officer.
This inspection occurred shortly after an arson incident in the forest area adjacent to Mariani’s Nagajanka tea garden, where it was reported that settlers had set fire to sections of the forest and planted rubber saplings.
Officials from Assam expressed concerns that the Nagaland administration has been designating the historical Dulal Borah forest inspection path as a "border line," a claim that local residents vehemently dispute. They believe this is a strategic move to justify deeper encroachments into Assam’s protected forest areas.
“This forest trail was established decades ago for patrolling purposes. Now, it is being misrepresented to gradually extend the border into our territory. The locals are upset, but they hope this ground visit will lead to decisive actions,” a forest officer remarked.
During the inspection, Assam officials cautioned their counterparts from Nagaland that any settlers attempting to reoccupy the cleared areas would face detention.
While the inspection has offered some reassurance to residents near the border, many believe that temporary measures will not suffice to prevent future encroachments.
“The Assam government must reclaim every inch of occupied land. Only then will we feel secure in our own homes,” stated a villager from the disputed area.
Residents have reported such encroachments since Nagaland's formation in 1963, but they expressed cautious optimism after witnessing officials take action on-site.
“We observed police and forest officials meeting with the Nagaland side and warning them about future encroachments. This is our land. It’s a reserved forest. We oppose shifting cultivation here. If the Ayodhya issue can be resolved, why not this one too?” another local added.
Reports have consistently highlighted alleged encroachments in the Dissoi Valley Reserved Forest near Mariani, where forest land is reportedly being cleared for rubber plantations.
On July 3, a delegation from the Tai Ahom Students’ Union visited the area and voiced serious concerns regarding what they termed as unchecked occupation of Assam’s forest land.
Earlier, on June 27, residents of Mariani accused armed groups from Nagaland of forcibly clearing land in the Nagajanka area to establish plantations, a pattern reminiscent of previous settlements like Vikto and Akahuto, allegedly set up by armed settlers from across the border.
According to locals, as recently as June 11, around 15 houses were constructed near the New Sonowal Forest Office and the Border Observation Post by alleged encroachers.
Despite the serious developments, authorities have yet to deploy additional security forces or initiate formal inter-state dialogue to alleviate the rising tensions.
The issue of land encroachment by alleged Naga miscreants in the region is longstanding. Over the past two years, numerous instances of border skirmishes, including incidents of firing and abductions, have been reported.