Mokokchung, November 30 (MTNews): The Nagaland Pradesh Congress Committee (NPCC) has condemned the alleged killing of 6 innocent citizens by Assam Police/Forest Guards at Mukhroh in Meghalaya.
NPCC president K Therie said in a press release on Wednesday that, under the leadership of Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma, Northeast has lost 28 precious lives that included 7 Assam Police personnel, 14 innocent civilians of Oting Village in Nagaland massacred by 21 Paratroopers based in Jorhat on 4 December 2021.
Therie also said that Late Henveih Phom, a civilian traveler, was detained and tortured to death in Police custody at Sibsagar, Assam on 16 August 2022 and now 6 at Mukhroh in Meghalaya on 22 November 2022. “All the above situations and loss of lives could have been avoided with a little patience, tolerance and reasoning,” Therie said.
“The entire NE is now travelling with uneasiness. Travel advisories are issued by administration frequently to avoid certain roads. Goods carriers travelling to Hill States are harassed even after check posts were removed. This is the new trend of life in Northeast after BJP,” Therie observed.
Being the Chairman of NEDA, Therie said it is expected of Sarma to “rise above Assam State and contain peace and goodwill for the growth of the Northeast.” Sarma is also is expected to apply his mind to resolve the interstate boundary disputes and maintain peaceful atmosphere using the NEDA forum, Therie added. “NEDA Members are equally responsible for the failures and their inability to assess the situation in time and evolve solutions,” Therie rued.
“We have inherited British administrative boundary demarcation in many areas. They have drawn most of the boundary lines with watershed and river basins or streams and some pillars. Our people have seen pillars being erected but the meaning of the pillars were not made known,” Therie said. “Many Naga Villages are in Myanmar. The Angh’s house of Longwa Village is divided between Myanmar and India since it falls on the ridge that was demarcated based on watershed. When he goes to the kitchen he is a citizen of Myanmar and when he sleeps, he is Indian,” Therie said. Citing this, Therie claimed that “neutral commissions” are needed to study the situations and make recommendations for decisions.
“In practice therefore, the State authorities should honour two boundaries – Interstate boundaries for administration, while traditional boundaries for right of use,” Therie recommended, adding that it may be difficult but “they have not made efforts.”
“If they have no idea, they should read the Constitution or should consult pioneer leaders. If need be, approach GOI since it is the subject of GoI. If we read Article 3 of the Constitution, it deals with the formation of new States and alteration of areas, boundaries or names of existing States,” Therie went on to say. He also said that GoI should apply its mind and wherever required, intervene by setting up neutral commissions to resolve the issues.
Therie further said that Northeast people should seriously ponder together and make decisions for peaceful coexistence. “We are interdependent both in politics and economy. If our leaders cannot keep up with time, either they should change their watch or the people have to change their leaders,” Therie concluded.