During the 7th session of the 14th Nagaland Legislative Assembly, members of the House raised a series of starred questions on cross-border movement and the eviction of illegal immigrants along the Assam-Nagaland border.
Responding to a question raised by MLA Kuzholuzo Nienu regarding the Free Movement Regime (FMR), Deputy Chief Minister Y Patton informed that the abolition of the regime has not been communicated to the State Government. He clarified that the system is currently being implemented with additional sets of regulations, under which holders of a “Border Pass” issued by an authorized representative of the Assam Rifles are allowed to stay for up to seven days at a time within 10 km of the International Border. Patton further stated, in reply to a supplementary question, that there are nine entry and exit points in operation.
On another starred question raised by NLA member Achumbemo Kikon regarding the eviction drive against illegal immigrants by the Assam Government, Patton said that eight villages under Wokha District and six villages under Niuland District were affected. He informed that the Nagaland Government was officially intimated and a joint meeting was convened on July 22, 2025, between the Deputy Commissioners and SPs of Niuland and Wokha, and their counterparts in Golaghat district, Assam, where it was agreed that eviction, if required, would be conducted jointly.
When asked whether the Nagaland Government had taken steps to permanently protect the Naga villagers presently settled in the Disputed Area Belt (DAB), Patton said that four interim agreements had been signed between Nagaland and Assam in 1972. As per the agreements, Naga settlements in the DAB are not to be disturbed and status quo is to be maintained. He further added that the question of reclaiming evicted land does not arise at present since the matter is sub judice in the Supreme Court of India, with both State Governments required to maintain status quo.
Adding to the discussion, Chief Minister Neiphiu Rio informed the House that the State Cabinet had earlier decided to increase the strength of Village Guard forces in the border areas. However, the proposal was objected to by the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA), which stated that Village Guards are meant only for guarding international borders and not inter-state boundaries.
Responding to a supplementary question raised by MLA, Kuzholuzo Nienu on the number of entry and exit points in Nagaland, Deputy Chief Minister Y.Patton said that there are nine exit points. He also stated that Border pass is issued by authorized personnel of Assam Rifles and is issued only to adults. He also informed the house that State police along with medical staff is deployed to facilitate the Assam Rifles.