GUWAHATI, July 2 ? The Issac-Muivah faction of the National Socialist Council of Nagalim (NSCN-IM) was involved in yesterday?s attack on an eviction party in which one Extra Assistant Commissioner (EAC) of the State was killed in the Dhansiri Reserved Forest area of Karbi Anglong district. The encroachers were all from Nagaland and the armed militants of the NSCN faction backed them. The militants were equipped with sophisticated weapons like sniper rifles. They were backed by the armed militants of the faction from the Hebron designated camp. This camp is located within one km distance from the inter-state boundary in the area. There is, however, no information about the casualties on the encroachers? side.
Disclosing these, State Home Commissioner Dr BK Gohain told newsmen here this afternoon that all of the encroachers were driven out from Assam territory and the situation was under control. The Assam Government will not sit idle in case of any act of incursion by the NSCN faction, he said. The personnel of the Eleven Garhwal Regiment also moved in to the area this morning to bring the situation under control. The Assam Government is taking all steps to check any attempt of encroachment in the area and police pickets will be there to keep the area free from encroachers, Dr Gohain said.
The Union Home Ministry and the Army authorities were also informed of the developments concerning the bid from the NSCN-backed Naga encroachers on June 26 last. The Union Government was urged upon to restrain the NSCN faction, as the cease-fire with the militant faction was on. Moreover, the Central Government has also been requested to shift the Hebron designated camp of the militant faction. It all started with some Nagas crossing over the Dhansiri river and entering the Assam territory at Missi Baikum on June 13 last. The river serves as the inter-state boundary between Assam and Nagaland in that part. The Nagas entered Assam territory with intention to set up a model village ? Atur Kimi Model Village covering an area of 2,500 hectares. They raised 15 huts in the area which were subsequently demolished by the Forest Department of Assam, as the Nagas were ?rank encroachers?, said the Home Commissioner.
On June 25, about 200 Nagas came to the area and constructed some houses there. About one hundred armed NSCN cadres backed them. These militants were armed with sophisticated weapons and they were taking positions. In the face of such a situation, the Assam side restrained itself. When the Naga encroachers were asked to explain the reason for their presence in the area that day, they told the Assam officers that they were there for setting up a model village and for the purpose they had already obtained the necessary documents. During that time a CRPF contingent led by a commandant, was also present, said Dr Gohain.
They were then asked to produce their papers at the discussion on the issue at Diphu on June 29. When the papers were examined during the June 29 discussion, it was found that all the papers were forged. The representatives of the encroachers were apprised of this and they were asked to leave the Assam territory, they all left convinced. The next date for discussion with the encroachers was fixed on June 30. But that day, they did not send any representative to the discussion.
The matter was taken up also with the Chief Secretary of Nagaland on June 26. The Nagaland Government also agreed that the rank encroachers should be evicted, Dr Gohain said. But, he maintained that the Nagaland Government is like the NSCN faction was also greedy to grab the vacant land in Assam. ?It always resorts to such acts to expand its area of jurisdiction, while the NSCN faction is out to spread its sway over the Assam territory through such acts in pursuance of its dream for a Greater Nagalim,? he said.
?The NSCN faction is also serving extortion notices on Assam officials. The Assam Government is not going to tolerate such activities of the militant outfit. It is not under any cease-fire agreement with the Assam Government,? said the Assam Home Commissioner. The Home Commissioner also provided the newsmen as proof of NSCN faction?s involvement in the case, with a copy of the militant faction?s March 4, 2004 office memorandum on the issue, which stated that a party led by Mr Pfunchuka Therie was entrusted to set up the Atur Kimi Model Village at ?Dhansiri under Jamunapur Mouza? in?Karbi Anglong Autonomous Council? area. NSCN faction?s steering committee secretary AZ Jami signed the document. State?s Home Secreatary BM Mazumdar, IGP, Law and Order DK Pathak and IGP, Special Branch K Sarma were also present on the occasion.