GUWAHATI, Sept 4 � The All Assam Lawyers� Association (AALA) today asked the Union government to become the mediator for solving the Assam-Nagaland border clash. The lawyers� body warned that though the situation appeared to be peaceful now, tension still prevailed in the bordering villages, which may lead to fresh violence.
Addressing the media here, AALA general secretary Shailendra Das said that a team of AALA that visited the violence-affected places recently, found that there were fresh attempts by Naga miscreants to occupy Assam land.
�Though the attempt of Naga miscreants to encroach upon Seinpur village was foiled by the SSB, a recurrence of the incidents cannot be ruled out. Moreover, such repeated attempts would fuel border tension,� said Das.
Analysing the legal angle of the incidents, the advocates� body said that though 16 cases have been registered against the Naga miscreants, and an advocate of Golaghat has also filed a case against the incidents, the Assam Police lacks the necessary power to arrest the miscreants.
�Thus, we appeal to the Union government to intervene in the matter and find a solution to the entire problem as well as help in arresting the culprits who let loose innumerable atrocities on the innocent Assamese people living in the border areas,� added AALA working president Rohini Kumar Das.
�Though the SSB and the Assam Police have been able to control the situation for the time being, the situation is still volatile. The people residing in the Assam-Nagaland border area must be provided adequate protection,� he added.
The AALA also sought an appropriate investigation into the allegations about a third force being involved in the entire mayhem. It alleged that the reference of a �third party� was not only confusing the people, but was also diverting the people�s attention from the real issue. Demanding adequate compensation to the affected people, it said immediate steps should be taken to rehabilitate the victims of the violence.
