Is Assam constructing a Police Commando Battalion Camp in Nagaland’s Mokokchung District?

Ao Senden urges immediate intervention from Nagaland State Government

The apex body of the Ao Naga, Ao Senden, has called on Chief Minister Neiphiu Rio to take immediate action against the construction of the Assam Police Commando Battalion Camp at Septsuyong Lu, Kangtsüng Village in Mokokchung District.

In a letter addressed to the Chief Minister, the Ao Senden referenced a September 26, 2024, article from the Times of IndiaAMP, which reported that the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change (MoEF&CC) has granted in-principle approval for the diversion of 28 hectares of reserve forest for the establishment of the battalion at the Assam-Nagaland interstate border in the Geleky reserve forest of Sivasagar District.

The Ao Senden expressed concern over the report, which “bluntly alleged” that the battalion’s establishment is a measure to resist encroachment attempts by “miscreants from the Nagaland side.” The Ao Senden described the newspaper’s claims as “rubbing salt into our wound,” highlighting encroachments by the Assam government on Ao Naga ancestral land.

The Ao Senden reiterated that the land on which the Assam Police Commando Battalion is being established belongs to the Kangtsüng village, recognized as traditional territory since time immemorial, as stated in their letter to the Deputy Commissioner of Mokokchung on January 22, 2022.

Additionally, the Ao Senden reminded Chief Minister Rio that after the first instance of encroachment by the Assam Police at Septsuyong Lu on the traditional land of Kangtsüng village at the Nagaland-Assam border, the Reongsanger Putu Menden Kangtsüng Village Council wrote to the Deputy Commissioner of Mokokchung on January 22, 2022. On November 25, 2022, a representation regarding the same issue was submitted to the Chief Minister by the Ao Senden.

Additionally, the Langpangkong Tzukong Mungdang (LTM) has also sent letters addressing the matter, with communications dated August 29, 2022, and another from the Reongsanger Putu Menden Kangtsüng Village to the Additional Deputy Commissioner of Tuli on March 6, 2023.

Despite these efforts, Ao Senden reported that they have yet to see any action taken by the Chief Minister, the Deputy Commissioner of Mokokchung, or the Additional Deputy Commissioner of Tuli, and have urged the state government to engage with their Assam counterparts and the Union Government of India. “This is to preserve and protect the interest and integrity of the Ao territory in particular and of the state in general,” Ao Senden stated.

Historical context of Ao Naga and Ahom relations according to Reongsanger Putu Menden Kangtsüng village

In a representation to the Deputy Commissioner of Mokokchung in 2022, the Reongsanger Putu Menden Kangtsüng village emphasized the longstanding relationship between the Ahom people of Assam and the Naga tribes of Nagaland, which flourished well before British colonial rule. The villagers specifically referenced interactions between the residents of Sivasagar district and Bora Kangtsung (now Kangtsüng), a village situated in Mokokchung district.

Historically, Sivasagar served as a vital trade center for Ao and Naga communities. The representation noted that Kangtsung was the sole Ao Naga village bordering Assam at that time. “It was perhaps the bravery and sheer determination of our forefathers who forged a path to Sivasagar by clearing thick jungles for hunting and trade,” the statement declared.

Over time, the villagers developed strong social and trade relationships with the Ahom people, primarily through a barter system. They exchanged local goods, including cotton, sweet potatoes, and groundnuts, for essential items such as salt, oil, and tea leaves. Furthermore, the forefathers of the Ao Naga people held extensive territorial lands stretching between Ladiogarh, Dodar Ali and Naga bunds (earth mounting) which lies between the River Dikhu (called Tsulah in Ao Naga) and River Jhanjee (called Milak in Ao Naga) respectively since time immemorial.

Close social ties with Ahom community

The Reongsanger Putu Menden Kangtsüng village highlighted the deepening social relationship between the Ahom people and the Naga community over time. Villagers from Sivasagar district in Assam reportedly requested permission to establish temporary homes within Naga territory. Though initially set up without the consent of the Naga people, these structures were later permitted through mutual understanding and in good faith. This arrangement led to the establishment of the Geleky and Alkhel areas.

Despite this cooperation, the inhabitants were required to pay taxes for the harvesting of bamboo, firewood, and other forest products, along with land tax (Ghats) to the Ao Naga forefathers as rent.

The villagers asserted that the ongoing encroachment by the people of Assam, allegedly in collusion with armed police, has contributed to the current border disputes between Assam and Nagaland. They noted that prior to British rule in 1826, the Ahoms and the Nagas existed as distinct and independent entities with clearly defined political boundaries, engaging primarily in trade through confederations.

To prevent further encroachments, the boundary between the Ahoms and the Nagas was delineated, extending from Ladiogarh to the Naga bunds (earth mounting) and Dhodar Ali, now located within the Lakhimpur and Sibsagar districts of Assam.

Kangtsüng Village’s protection of Ahom king recognized in name and land

According to the Reognsanger Putu Menden, in the early 19th century, when Burmese forces invaded Ahom territory, the Ahom King and his subjects sought refuge in various parts of Naga territory. A group of these subjects found shelter in Kangtsüng village, where they were protected by the forefathers of the Naga community. In recognition of this hospitality, the area was named “Ahomer Yimkong” in the Naga language, meaning “The shelter place of Ahoms.” This historical name continues to endure in the community’s memory.

Illegal transfer of Naga territory

With the eventual expulsion of the Burmese forces aided by the British, a verbal agreement was reached between the Ahom King and the villagers of Kangtsüng. As a token of gratitude towards the Naga forefathers, the Ahom King authorized the construction of a road, starting from Sibsagar, passing through Jhanjee, and connecting to Golaghat via Mariani. This road was named ‘Dodar Ali’ and marked the traditional boundary between the Ahoms and the Nagas.

The British recognized this traditional boundary as a political boundary. However, following their arrival in Assam after driving out the Burmese, the British-Indian government initiated land surveys in 1832, leading to the region being designated with a special name: Bengal Assam and NEFA.

They also pointed out that the construction of the Assam and Bengal Railway around 1899 marked a significant turning point in the history of Naga territory, with vast areas being arbitrarily and illegally transferred to adjoining districts of Assam in 1898, 1903, and 1923. These transfers were made by the British Government for administrative convenience, without the knowledge or consent of the Naga people. This issue remains unresolved by both the Indian Government and the neighboring state of Assam, despite clear evidence documented in historical letters.

Notable correspondence includes a letter dated May 13, 1898, from DC Kohima AE Wood ICS to the Chief Commissioner of Assam, and another from Sibsagar dated May 6, 1874, which acknowledges the illegal transfer of Naga territory and accepts Ladoigarh as the natural boundary between Assam and Nagaland.

Furthermore, the British Government’s colonial practices included the establishment of tea plantations in Naga territory, the Gelakey, Atkhel, Borssila, and Amguri tea estates, further infringing upon the land that has been historically occupied by the Naga people. The Naga community asserted that they do not seek to encroach upon or demand territory that has been under their physical possession since time immemorial.

Additionally, the reliance on the 16th Point Agreement, which granted Nagaland statehood on December 1, 1963, underscored the Naga people’s claims, according to the Putu Menden. Point No. 12 of the agreement explicitly mentioned the inclusion of reserved forests and contiguous areas inhabited by the Nagas, in line with Article 3 of the Constitution. However, the implementation of this agreement remained largely unaddressed, which it observed as “stepmotherly” treatment by the Indian Government.

Urges respect for territorial integrity in boundary dispute

The Naga community urged that the Govt. of India, Supreme Court of India and the neighboring State of Assam must respect the Nagas integrity and territorial jurisdiction. They emphasize that it is the primary responsibility of the Supreme Court and the Indian Government to acknowledge the sentiments of the Naga people, ensuring that boundary settlements are free from favoritism, discrimination, nepotism, or prejudice.

The Putu Menden asserted the Nagas’ firm stance on the natural boundary demarcation established between the Ahom King and the Nagas long before the advent of colonial British rule. It demanded for an amicable resolution to the ongoing boundary dispute between Assam and Nagaland, emphasizing the need for mutual respect regarding historical facts and territorial rights, upholding the long lasting peaceful coexistence between the two communities in the interest of justice.

MT