Kohima: Expressing serious concern over entertaining a sub-judice matter relating to border dispute between Assam and Nagaland on the floor of the Assam Legislative Assembly, Nagaland chief minister Neiphiu Rio said that they want to settle such disputes with the neighbouring states amicably.
Participating in a debate during the second day of the 13th Nagaland Legislative Assembly (NLA) session, Nagaland MLA Imkong Imchen expressed dissatisfaction over reports that an Assam minister claimed that 77,829.47 hectares of Assam land are under the control of six neighbouring states at present– out of which Nagaland had the highest amount of land with 59,159.77 hectares.
Responding to a question, raised by Imchen, in the House, state chief minister Neiphiu Rio said, “This (Nagaland-Assam border dispute) is in the court. The matter is sub-judice. But I am surprised also to learn from the newspaper reports that in the Assam Legislative Assembly, question was entertained and reply was made by the minister in charge of border affairs.”
“We want to live in harmony. We want to settle it amicably and therefore, we requested my counterpart in Assam to settle the issue outside the court amicably. The court had also set up a mediation party. But the mediation party also failed and now, it has gone back to court again,” Rio said.
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Terming the discussion of the case at the Assam Legislative Assembly as “unfortunate”, Rio said, “The State of Nagaland has already placed before the Supreme Court our claims along with supporting documents. Our assembly had passed six resolutions for integration of contiguous areas and in the 16-point agreement also transfer of contiguous area and forests area. But till now, such things are not done and they are claiming that all those are theirs.”
Rio further assured, “All possible steps are being taken by us to fight the case and the statement made by the Assam minister will not in any manner affect the outcome of our case. Our lawyer had made a very good argument and submitted all our claims. So let us wait and see that justice is done to all concerned.”
The fourth session of the 13th Nagaland Legislative Assembly (NLA) was adjourned sine die on Thursday.
