Naga body terms economic blockade along Assam border as "act of war", demands solution from CM Rio

DIMAPUR: The Tsurangkong Range Naga Youth Front (TRNYF), while slamming Assam civil society organizations for the economic blockade along Assam's boundary with Mokokchung district, urged the CM Nephiu Rio to expedite the construction of the Naga Foothill Road to ease the sufferings of Nagas suffering due to the blockade.

The Naga youth body in a letter to Chief Minister Neiphiu Rio dashed off on Friday claimed that it is now convinced "that it is an act of declaring war against us who are affected most by the total blockade of National Highway at New Sonowal."

"We are all aware that every major road leading to Nagaland starts from Assam, whether Dimapur, Wokha, Mokokchung, Longleng or Mon districts," the youth body said, adding that "ever since the beginning of border issues between Nagaland and Assam, the people living along the border belt have been subjected to undue harassment."

The TRNYF has also said that the road blockades are enforced for "trivial matters" by civil society organizations and that this has caused "great plight" to the Nagas living in the border areas.

"The present Indefinite total blockade of Mariani-Mokokchung National Highway 702(D) restricting all Nagaland bound vehicles at New Sonowal reflects the ever-existing narrow and immature mindset led by some selfish leaders from Assam disrupting the peaceful co-existence of the two states," the body added.

It further stated that Nagas should not be placed at a disadvantaged position "solely because Nagas commute or travel through Assam."

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We are also aware that the national highway is not the sole property of Assam state but a national property and whilst the act of blockading national highways is illegal as per the National Highways Act 1956, subsection 8(1), it stated, while accusing the Government of Assam of turning "a blind eye against such Illegal activities."

"The Increasing highway blockades at the whims and fancy of every tom, dick and harry in Assam with no action taken against such Illegal blockades and its leaders have emboldened every Assam based organisations/civil societies/groups to impose such bandhs against the Nagas", it stated.

The organization called on the Chief Minister to expedite the completion of the Naga Foothill Road to save the "pride and dignity of Naga people."

"As long as this Naga Foothill Road remains Just a lip service, Nagas along the border belt will continue to suffer economically and mentally at the hands of Assamese people," it added.

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