Following the tension along the Assam-Nagaland border in Mokokchung’s Tzürangkong range in the villages of Aosungkum and Aosenden on Friday, February 10, a joint meeting was held today at Chungtiayimsen Council Hall led by Border Magistrate Tzürangkong and Border Magistrate Mariani.
According to Shashank Pratap Singh, Deputy Commissioner of Mokokchung, the meeting was a “confidence building meeting” in which both parties took note of the grievances.
“It was discussed in the meeting that the status quo will be maintained,” the DC said.
According to Singh, the main reason for the tension this time was that some ‘developmental activities’ were taking place in the region, which upset the Assam side.
As per the report, there was an ongoing road construction under Pradhan Mantri Gram Sadak Yojana (PMGSY) in the area, which the villagers claimed that it was an old road.
In response to the mini saw mill controversy, Singh stated that the Border Magistrate of Mariani insisted on further investigation into the mini saw mill because it was a ‘Semi-permanent structure,’ which they believe violated the status quo maintained by the Border Affairs Committee.
“It is all due to the absence of a clear border demarcation, which contributes to the complexity of the issue,” Singh said, explaining why the tensions continue to erupt frequently.
However, he concluded that the meeting was ‘positive,’ and that further discussion and investigation into the mini sawmill will be conducted.