Assam-Nagaland to withdraw troops from disputed border areas

Guwahati: In a major breakthrough towards de-escalating tensions at the Assam-Nagaland border, Chief Secretaries of the two states arrived at an understanding to withdraw forces from border locations with immediate effect.

This comes at a time when Assam and Mizoram have faced a violent border standoff, and matters at Assam -Meghalaya border also seem to be causing trouble.

A meeting was held between the Chief Secretary of Nagaland and Chief Secretary of Assam in Dimapur on Saturday with a view to de-escalating tense situation prevailing at two locations in the Dessoi Valley Reserved Forest/Tsurangkong valley due to standoff between the armed police forces of Nagaland and Assam.

A release said, “Both sides agreed that in order to maintain peace and tranquillity in the areas around Ao Senden village and Vikuto Village as they are known in Nagaland, and known as Jankhona Nala / Nagajankha (26°36/52.9″N 94°22’27.3″E) and Compartment No. 12(26°34133.7″N 94°19’05.9″E) respectively in Assam, urgent and effective steps are required for defusing the standoff between the security forces of Nagaland and Assam.”

It was decided by both sides that the security personnel of both the states will simultaneously move back from their present locations to their respective base camps. The withdrawal shall begin immediately and is to be completed in the next 24 hours.

Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma tweeted, “This is a historic step in our relations. My gratitude to HCM Sri
@Neiphiu_Rio for working with #Assam in restoring peace on the border.”

“Assam is committed to ensuring peace along all its borders & strives for social & economic prosperity of #NorthEast region,” he added.

Further, Nagaland and Assam are to monitor the area by surveillance using UAV and satellite imagery with a view to maintaining the status quo.

“The Superintendents of Police of the districts of Mokokchung (Nagaland) and Jorhat (Assam) shall ensure orderly withdrawal of their respective forces and shall be responsible for it in the instant case,” added the release.

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