DIPHU, May 24 � Barely 15 hours after the consultative meeting held between civil bodies of Nagaland, comprising the Naga Hoho, Naga Students� Federation, Naga Women Hoho, Dimapur Naga Council, Dimapur and Naga People�s Movement for Human Rights and the Coordination Committee for Border Protection Karbi Anglong and Karbi Peace Forum at Hotel Acacia, Dimapur, renewed violence erupted near Toraibari village in Kashiran sector of Karbi Anglong and Nagaland (bordering Dimapur in Nagaland) today around 12.50 pm.
In the cross-firing between encroachers from Dimapur and Assam Police personnel, a Naga person, identified as W Chakhesang (40), was killed and another person, identified as B Zeliang (35), received serious bullet injury. Three Assam Police personnel were also injured in the incident. They have been identified as ASI Bogi Ram Boro, lance naik Ronjon Deka and havildar LL Kuki. All the injured persons have been admitted to the Diphu Civil Hospital.
According to Karbi Anglong Superintendent of Police Mukdhojyoti Mahanta, a team of Assam Police engaged in patrolling duty in the troubled area, was fired upon by suspected encroachers, who have occupied vast tracks of land spread across Rangapahar, Kashiram and Shankar Tila sector of the Assam-Nagaland border, by clearing the Dhansiri Reserve Forest.
It may be mentioned here that the encroachers had put up a number of pre-fabricated houses in the occupied areas. They also attacked villages inside Assam territory.
Karbi Anglong police carried out eviction drives in some of the encroached areas and vacated large portions of land last month. After the incident, patrolling along the border by Assam Police and paramilitary forces has been intensified and more forces had been rushed to the troubled spot.
Yesterday a meeting took place between civil organisations of Nagaland and Karbi Anglong to settle the border issue. The meeting was held in the backdrop of continuing scuffles between Assam Police and encroachers in the Daldali Reserve Forest bordering Dimapur city of Nagaland, to find out a workable solution to the issue. The meeting was arranged after the Coordination Committee for Border Protection Karbi Anglong, a Diphu-based civil organisation had, a few days back, cautioned the Nagaland authorities of imposing an indefinite all-out economic blockade against the neighbouring State.
After the meeting, the civil bodies of Karbi Anglong and Nagaland cautioned the people who have occupied large portions of land illegally, not to indulge in unwanted activities along the Nagaland-Karbi Anglong (Assam) border areas.
The civil organisations of both sides also agreed to keep the proposed economic blockade against Nagaland in abeyance to pave the way for peace and tranquility between the Nagas and Karbis.
