People evicted in Assam may move to Nagaland, warns students' body
A students' body in Nagaland has warned against the possible inward movement of 'alleged illegal immigrants' evicted from government land in Assam.
More than 50,000 people, mostly Bengali-speaking Muslims, have been evicted from reserve forests, wetlands, grazing lands, wastelands, etc., in northeastern and western Assam since June. Resistance to these drives claimed the life of one person in the Goalpara district a few days ago.
On Monday (July 21, 2025), the Western Sümi Students' Union (WSSU) expressed deep concern over the ongoing eviction drive in Assam. Its president, Ikato Khulu, and general secretary, Vitoka N. Rochill, issued a statement, saying such drives are threatening areas inhabited by Nagas along the border with Assam.
'It is alarming that such activities are beginning to infringe upon Nagaland's territory, posing a direct threat to the rightful ownership of our land and the safety and security of its residents. These border communities have lived peacefully for generations and have acted as de facto custodians of our State's boundary,' they said.
Risk of conflict
'It is pertinent to mention that the alleged illegal immigrants reside near Naga-inhabited areas along the Assam-Nagaland border. This situation further heightens the risks of conflict, displacement, and demographic pressure on our vulnerable border communities,' they said.
The WSSU asked the Nagaland government to immediately deploy security forces 'to deter unauthorised actions by external authorities' and ensure 'swift and effective protection of our people.' It also sought steps to prevent a potential influx of illegal immigrants.
'The large-scale evictions, push-backs, and expedited deportations currently underway in Assam will likely trigger displacement-driven movement into Nagaland,' the union stated, resenting the 'slow and inadequate' response of the Nagaland administration to the threat.
Dismantle SoO camps
In neighbouring Manipur, another Naga organisation has asked the Centre to immediately dismantle camps for Kuki extremist outfits located 'in or around Naga ancestral territories' in the State. These groups had signed the Suspension of Operations (SoO) agreement with the Centre in 2008.
In a memorandum to Prime Minister Narendra Modi, the Foothills Naga Coordination Committee accused the SoO groups of repeatedly violating the terms of the agreement. The committee cited a long list of alleged crimes and violent acts committed by these groups between 2023 and 2025, including extortion, assaults, kidnappings, and the burning of villages.
The committee said the SoO agreement 'has become a sanctuary for armed criminals rather than a tool for peace. 'The continued presence and reported relocation of SoO camps into Naga areas represent a direct threat to communal harmony, constitutional order, and national security,' it stated in the memorandum.
The committee warned that any attempt to impose such camps in Naga areas would be seen as an act of aggression.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Time of India
36 minutes ago
- Time of India
Govt preparing to give 10% horizontal reservation to Agniveers in govt jobs: Uttarakhand CM
Uttarakhand Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami on Saturday said the state government is preparing to give 10 per cent horizontal reservation to Agniveers in government jobs after they complete four years of military service. He made the announcement at a programme held here to honour former soldiers and family members of martyrs on the occasion of Kargil Vijay Diwas . Explore courses from Top Institutes in Please select course: Select a Course Category Public Policy Digital Marketing PGDM Finance Technology healthcare Data Science Cybersecurity MCA MBA Management Operations Management Product Management Project Management Design Thinking others CXO Artificial Intelligence Others Degree Leadership Data Analytics Healthcare Data Science Skills you'll gain: Economics for Public Policy Making Quantitative Techniques Public & Project Finance Law, Health & Urban Development Policy Duration: 12 Months IIM Kozhikode Professional Certificate Programme in Public Policy Management Starts on Mar 3, 2024 Get Details Skills you'll gain: Duration: 12 Months IIM Calcutta Executive Programme in Public Policy and Management Starts on undefined Get Details Dhami said a proposal to give 10 per cent horizontal reservation to Agniveers after they complete four years of service under the Agnipath scheme is being prepared and will soon be brought before the state cabinet for its approval. "We are preparing to give 10 per cent horizontal reservation to Agniveers in the police, transport, forest and other government departments. A proposal in this regard will soon be brought for cabinet approval. Agniveers who complete four years of service under the Agnipath scheme will get its benefits," he said. The horizontal reservation is a type of reservation that is provided across all categories, namely the General Category, as well as vertical reservation categories - Scheduled Tribes (ST), Scheduled Castes (SC) and Other Backward Classes (OBC). Live Events The Centre introduced the Agnipath scheme in 2022 for short-term induction of personnel in the Army, Navy and Air Force with an aim to bring down the age profile of the three services. The scheme provides for recruiting Agniveers youngsters between the age group of 17-and-a-half and 21 for a block period of four years with a provision to retain 25 per cent of them for another 15 years. Several states and central forces have already taken initiative to provide reservation to Agniveers Dhami said the state government is supportive towards soldiers and their families, and spoke of many steps taken in recent years with their welfare in mind. The state government has increased the ex-gratia amount given to the families of the martyrs from Rs 10 lakh to Rs 50 lakh. The lumpsum and annual amount given to the soldiers decorated with gallantry awards has also been increased, he said. The ex-gratia amount of Param Vir Chakra awardees has now been increased from Rs 50 lakh to Rs 1.5 crore, the chief minister said. It has been decided to provide employment training in drone operation to ex-servicemen's wives and daughters as Drone Didis, Dhami said. The government is also providing the facility of free travel to Badrinath Dham to ex-servicemen, wives of soldiers and Veer Naris who have completed the age of 60 years, he said. The construction work of the grand Shaurya Sthal (Military Dham) in Dehradun in memory of the martyrs is in its final stage, he said. This Military Dham contains water from 28 rivers across the state and soil brought from the homes of martyred soldiers, he said. So far, 37 dependents of martyrs have been provided government jobs. Under this scheme, the period for applying for a government job has also been increased from two years to five years. Apart from free travel facility in Uttarakhand Roadways buses to gallantry award winners, serving and former military personnel are also being given a 25 per cent discount in stamp duty on purchase of permanent property worth up to Rs 25 lakh.
The Print
an hour ago
- The Print
Retd IAS write to Haryana CM on engaging stalking accused Vikas Barala—‘betrayal of Beti bachao'
In a letter to Haryana Chief Minister Nayab Singh Saini, posted on X by veteran journalist Paranjoy Guha Thakurta, 45 former IAS officers of the 1986 batch, including R.R. Jowel and Rajni Sekhri Sibal of the Haryana cadre, voiced their outrage: 'We are a group of retired IAS officers, who served in various capacities for over three decades at the Centre and States. We are surprised to hear that a stalking case accused, son of BJP ex-state chief, one Mr Vikas Barala has been appointed Assistant Advocate General by your government. We fail to understand the reasoning behind such an appointment of (someone) accused of stalking a woman as Asst AG. He will serve as the state legal officer, when he himself stands on the wrong side of the law in such a grave issue.' Barala, accused in the 2017 stalking and attempted abduction case involving Varnika Kundu, daughter of retired IAS officer V.S. Kundu, is currently on bail, with his trial pending in a Chandigarh court. The decision to engage Barala, in a list of 95 law officers notified on 18 July 2025, has been slammed as a betrayal of Haryana's 'asmita' (pride) and Prime Minister Narendra Modi's 'Beti Bachao' campaign, by the ex-IAS officers, with calls for its immediate revocation. Gurugram: The appointment of Vikas Barala, stalking accused and son of BJP Rajya Sabha member and former BJP Haryana chief Subhash Barala, as Assistant Advocate General (AAG) in the office of Advocate General for Haryana in Delhi has stirred a massive controversy, with 45 retired IAS officers expressing outrage over what they describe as a serious lapse of ethics. The letter, referring to the 2011 Supreme Court judgment that invalidated P.J. Thomas's appointment as Central Vigilance Commissioner because there was a criminal case pending against him, contends that Barala's appointment is as indefensible. To The Chief Minister, Haryana, Chandigarh. Sir, We are a group of retired IAS Officers, who served in various capacities for over three decades at Centre and the States. We are shocked to learn that a stalking case accused, son of BJP Ex-State Chief, one Mr. Vikas Barala has… — ParanjoyGuhaThakurta (@paranjoygt) July 25, 2025 'It appears that your government did not take into account the fact that there is a serious criminal case against Mr Barala, or else he would not have been appointed, being ineligible for holding such a sensitive position,' the officers said. They added, 'This appointment is against the 'asmita' of Haryana. By appointing this accused as Asst AG, you have opposed the slogan of Hon PM's Beti Bachao. We ask you to cancel his appointment immediately, as his continued stay in the position is bound to influence the determination of the case in which he stands accused. We also request you to approach the judiciary to expedite the trial of the case, as already over seven years have elapsed.' The letter was signed by prominent retirees such as P.D. Vaghela, G.V. Venugopala Sarma and Ravi Capoor, among others. All these ex-IAS officers are from Varnika Kundu's father VS Kundu's 1986 batch. Also read: Anil Vij calls gang rape charge against Haryana BJP chief Badoli 'very serious', says party will act Political and public backlash The appointment has invited tough responses from political circles and civil society. Actor and ex-MP Divya Spandana, also popularly known as Ramya, was amongst the first from the world of cinema to express her indignation on X: 'The BJP Govt in Haryana has appointed the accused Vikas Barala in the Varnika Kundu stalking case as Assistant Advocate General of the very state that is prosecuting him!! @PMOIndia @AmitShah @arjunrammeghwal @NayabSainiBJP How did the screening committee approve this?' The BJP Govt in Haryana has appointed the accused Vikas Barala in the Varnika Kundu stalking case as Assistant Advocate General of the very state that is prosecuting him!! @PMOIndia @AmitShah @arjunrammeghwal @NayabSainiBJP How did the screening committee approve this? — Ramya/Divya Spandana (@divyaspandana) July 23, 2025 Her post amplified the scepticism over the screening process which led to Barala's selection despite the severity of Barala's outstanding charges. The Congress party also criticised the appointment and has asked for his removal from the post. पिछले कुछ साल में महिला अपराध के कई मामले सामने आए हैं, जिसमें BJP द्वारा अपराधियों का संरक्षण किया जा रहा है। ताजा कड़ी में मामला हरियाणा का है, जहां विकास बराला नाम के व्यक्ति को लॉ ऑफिसर के तौर पर नियुक्त किया गया है। विकास बराला, BJP राज्य सभा सांसद सुभाष बराला का बेटा… — Congress (@INCIndia) July 25, 2025 Aditya Devilal, the INLD MLA from Dabwali, said in a message on X that those who claimed to be against dynastic politics have today appointed the son of a former Haryana BJP president as Advocate General—and that too, someone who was himself an under-trial. 'Is this the new justice of the Nayab government?' he asked. Haryana PWD Minister Ranbir Gangwa, however, defended Barala's selection and said that the Opposition has nothing better to do, so was making a hue and cry over all issues. 'The selection has been made by a committee constituted for this purpose. The committee has checked all documents before making appointments,' Gangwa told media persons at Chandigarh on Friday. Varnika Kundu, whose 2017 experience ignited countrywide discussions about women's security, issued a tempered but evocative message on social media after media started calling her for comments: 'Appointing someone to a public position of power is not just a political decision, it's a reflection of values and standards. So, perhaps, the questions should be directed at the authorities whose ethics and standards allowed this decision to be made.' 'Our politicians govern the nation; the rest of us are merely hoping that they recall that they work for the Indian citizen.' Frustrated with the slow pace of the trial, she said, 'Despite months of national media attention, (the trial) has dragged on for this long with little progress.' 'Though we are no nearer to a verdict than we were five years ago, I remain confident in the judiciary up until the time of the judgment—but won't deny that confidence has been shaken,' she added in her statement. Kundu expressed gratitude to the media and public for standing by her side, observing, 'It made all the difference—gave me great courage and still moves me to tears.' A high-profile case The issue arose out of an incident on the night of 4 August 2017, when Varnika Kundu, who was a disc jockey at the time, was returning home from Chandigarh's Sector-8 market at 12:15 AM. She spotted a Tata Safari following her. In her complaint, she explained how Vikas Barala and his friend Ashish Kumar followed her, tried to stop her, and tried to force themselves into her car. 'I attempted to take a different route closer to Sector-7, but they compelled me towards Sector-26. One of the accused alighted and reached my car, trying to open the door. It was saved only due to the central lock,' she said. Kundu made a call to the emergency helpline (100), alerted her father, and called Chandigarh Police, which nabbed the duo. An FIR was lodged under IPC Sections 354D (stalking), 341 (wrongful restraint), 365 (attempt to abduct), 511 (attempt to commit an offense), and charges of drunk driving. The case, which was registered in Sector 26 police station in Chandigarh, gained national attention as Subhash Barala was the Haryana BJP chief at that time. Vikas Barala was detained on 9 August 2017, following public backlash, and remained in Burail jail for five months until he got bail from the Punjab and Haryana High Court in January 2018. Charges were framed in October 2017, and the trial is ongoing, with the next hearing scheduled for 2 August 2025, for recording defence evidence. Appointment process Barala's appointment was one of more than 95 law officers, such as AAGs, Deputy Advocates-General, and others, in a notification dated 18 July 2025. The process, regulated by the Haryana Law Officers (Engagement) Act, 2016, is one where the screening committee analyses the legal experience of the applicants. Section 8(c) of the 2016 Act disqualifies a person 'convicted of an offence involving moral turpitude' unless overturned or pardoned. A top Haryana government official, speaking on condition of anonymity, justified the appointment, saying, 'According to law, there is no irregularity. Barala is eligible and does not fall under any disqualification.' Vikas Barala and Subhash Barala have not responded to requests on Whatsapp for comment. This report will be updated if they make a statement. (Edited by Viny Mishra) Also read: Why UPSC has returned Haryana govt's proposal for promotion of 27 of its officers to IAS
The Hindu
an hour ago
- The Hindu
Only Centre competent enough to conduct caste census, says Mysuru MP Yaduveer
The BJP's OBC Morcha on Saturday organised an awareness programme here on the caste census, where MP for Mysuru Yaduveer Krishnadatta Chamaraja Wadiyar strongly backed the Centre's initiative and criticised the Karnataka government's past efforts in this connection. Speaking at the event, Mr. Yaduveer emphasised the need for increased awareness about the caste census, and reiterated that the Central government has the constitutional power to conduct such an exercise. 'Many states, including Karnataka, have said they will conduct a caste census, but what they're really doing is a socio-economic and educational survey, and even there, the Congress has failed to do it scientifically,' he added. He said that the caste census was crucial for framing policies aimed at targeted development of various communities, and the Centre had already initiated the process of conducting the caste census. 'We all welcome this initiative. Whenever the Prime Minister announces a programme, he ensures the benefits reach the people. I have full confidence that the Centre, under Mr. Modi, will deliver on the caste census as well,' said Mr. Yaduveer. He referred to the socio-economic and educational survey conducted by the Congress in the State and said that its handling indicated that the State lacks competence and expertise to carry out such an exercise. The Congress' effort in the State spread over a decade, and was a drama, Mr. Yaduveer said, and questioned the competence and political will of the Congress in completing the exercise. 'More than ₹165 crore was wasted, and Congress leaders at the Centre told their Karnataka counterparts to drop the exercise. All India Congress Committee leaders, who are not even elected representatives, rejected it outright and instructed the State leadership that it should follow the Telangana model,' said Mr. Yaduveer. Describing the caste census as a long-pending 'legacy issue', Mr. Yaduveer said that only the current Central leadership has the political will to resolve and implement it. He also urged the State government to drop its exercise, and said that there was no need to duplicate the efforts of the Centre. BJP National OBC Morcha president K. Lakshman, who is also a Rajya Sabha MP, questioned Congress leader Rahul Gandhi over his commitment to the OBC community. He cited historical events to claim that the Congress had let down the OBCs. ''Though three members of the Nehru-Gandhi family became the Prime Minister of this country, none of them supported the OBC cause,' said Mr. Lakshman. He said the first ever National Commission on OBCs led by Kaka Kalekar submitted a comprehensive report, but it was rejected by the Congress. ''It was V.P. Singh who implemented the Mandal Commission report with the support of the BJP, while the then leader of the Opposition Rajiv Gandhi spoke in the Parliament for more tan 90 minutes and opposed it,' Mr. Lakshman said. BJP OBC Morcha leader Rahgu Kautilya, MLC MLA T.S. Srivatsa, and others were present.
