The Legislative Assembly here Thursday expressed serious concern over neighbouring Assam government's allegations that Nagaland has encroached 594.90 sq km of land along the inter-state border area.
Opposition MLA- Imkong L Imchen- raised the issue during zero hour quoting July 29 newspapers reports of Assam Border Protection and Development Minister- Chandra Mohan Patowary- telling the state assembly there that Nagaland was occupying the largest area of 594.90 sq km out of the total of 832.67 sq km of Assam's land encroached by its neighbouring states.
Chief Minister Neiphiu Rio also voiced concern over the matter.
Imchen said the Naga people and government of Nagaland are of the firm opinion that we need to have good neighbourly relation with all the neighbouring states as we have to live together in tranquility for years to come.
The Assam-Nagaland boundary issue is lying in the Supreme Court for quite some time now, he said, adding the state government is willing to settle the matter outside the court because we believe in peaceful coexistence.
Citing Rules of Procedure and Conduct of Business that a matter which is under adjudication should not be discussed in the house, he hoped that Assam Legislative Assembly must also be having similar rules.
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Nonetheless, he lamented that Assam assembly allowed such questions and permitted the state minister to reply to it.
He also pointed that the 16-point agreement, which led to the creation of Nagaland statehood, clearly states that all the reserve forest and other Naga areas that were transferred out of Naga area would be returned to Nagaland with a clearly defined boundary.
Thanking and appreciating the concern expressed by NPF legislator in the House, Rio also expressed serious concern on the matter saying this is in the court and matter is sub judice but I am also surprised to learn from newspapers reports that in Assam Assembly question was entertained and reply made by the Minister in-charge.
He placed on record that the matter is waiting adjudication and therefore it is sub judice.
We want to live in harmony and settle the matter amicably the government and he himself requested the Assam counterpart to settle the matter outside the court amicably, he said.
The court had set up mediation, but the mediation party also failed and the matter has gone back to the court, he mentioned.
The CM went to state that it is unfortunate that the Assam minister has made such a statement in the floor of the house while the entire issue is sub judice in the Court.
Rio, said Nagaland has already submitted our claims with supporting documents before the Supreme Court.
Recalling that Nagaland was the first to be branched out from Assam and became a separate state in 1963, Rio said the state assembly has also passed six resolutions in connection with integration of contiguous Naga areas while 16-point agreement also has provisions for transfer of contiguous and forest areas.
Till now, he said, it has not happened but they (Assam) is claiming that it is all theirs.
The CM assured the house that the state government is taking all possible measures to fight the case and that the statement of the Assam minister will not in any manner effect the outcome of the Courts hearing.
Our advocates and lawyers have made a very strong presentation and let us wait and see that justice is done to all our claims, said Rio.