10 hours ago
Nagaland & Assam villages unite against illegal immigrants, issue 7-day notice
Guwahati: Three village councils claiming to be a part of Nagaland, along with village heads from two neighbouring Assam villages, have issued a seven-day ultimatum to illegal immigrants, setting off alarm bells in Rengma Reserve Forest region where approximately 12,000 bighas of forest land was freed from encroachment recently.
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The ultimatum, dated Aug 18, was signed by Jandalashung 'B' Village Council, Ronsuyan Village Council, and Chandalashung New Village Council, all asserting their location within Wokha district of Nagaland. It was also endorsed by the gaon pradhans of No. 1 Chetiagaon and No. 2 Chetia Gaon in Assam. Sources said these areas host six families of Bangladesh-origin migrant Muslims and over 1,000 Adivasi families.
The recent eviction in the Rengma Reserve Forest primarily targeted 'Miyas,' a term used for migrant Muslims of Bangladeshi origin.
The Assam state cabinet has expressed gratitude to the Nagaland govt and the state environment and forest department for the successful eviction operation. Plans are underway for a joint plantation drive in the cleared areas, set to commence on Aug 23, with environment and forests minister Chandra Mohan Patowary in attendance.
Despite the ultimatum, government officials from both Assam and Nagaland have clarified that it lacks official recognition.
The eviction drives were conducted with mutual understanding between the two states. However, reports suggest that some Naga villagers have already distributed the ultimatum to families in the affected areas.
Sarupathar MLA Biswajit Phukan commented on the situation, noting the unity among villagers along the inter-state border against illegal immigrants, while emphasizing the govt's strategic approach to maintaining an encroachment-free Uriamghat.
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The Adivasi families, claiming residency since the 1960s, allege that the Bangladesh-origin migrant Muslim families arrived much later. Srikanta Karmakar, a signatory of the ultimatum and gaon pradhan of No. 2 Chetia Gaon, stated, "Our target is to oust the Miyas. They are suspected illegal immigrants and also give shelter to some people evicted during the recent eviction drive in Uriamghat."
A govt source reiterated that any new eviction plans would involve official notices, underscoring that the ultimatum is not recognized. However, the source acknowledged the apparent unity among villages in Assam and Nagaland against illegal immigrants.
