Kohima: The 13th Nagaland Legislative Assembly (NLA) on Thursday raised concern about a school in Ladigarh under Longleng district, which was “occupied” by the Assam Police in 2007.
Opposition MLA YM Yollow Konyak raised the issue on the floor of the Assembly through a starred question where he asked about the establishment of the Government Primary School Ladigarh and questioned about the present location of the school.
According to government records, the school was established in 1972. PWD minister Tongpang Ozukum informed the state Assembly that as the school has been occupied by the Assam Police, the school is currently functioning at a makeshift facility on the outskirts of Ladigarh village near Yanlong.
As the school has been “snatched” by Assam, Ozukum said that it is a classic example of how the neighbouring state has “encroached” upon land from Nagaland. At the makeshift school, he said there are 32 students (16 boys and 16 girls) and three teachers at present.
“This is a very serious issue,” he said, adding that Ladigarh village was established in 1963 and later recognised by the government in 1969.
Despite the school having registered with UDISE number under the Nagaland government, he said that the school was “captured” by Assam.
Nagaland chief minister Neiphiu Rio, said that as per a Supreme Court order, no para-military forces, army, or police can occupy a school complex.
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While acknowledging the legislator for raising the issue on the floor of the state Assembly, Rio also questioned as to why the public has been silent over the issue and not voicing out.
As the CM highlighted other border issues with Assam, he said that people living along the border must also be proactive in protecting the land.
Admitting that members of the state legislative Assembly have “not done” their duty other than debating, he urged all legislators to collectively fight and resolve its border issues.
