JORHAT, Nov 23 - With the Assam-Nagaland border standoff in Jorhat district continuing and also an economic blockade against Nagaland imposed by several organizations at Mariani still being on, the top district administration and police officials of both Jorhat and Mokokchung are scheduled to meet here on November 25 to defuse tension.
It may be mentioned that tension flared up at the inter-State boundary on November 10 following construction of a hut-like structure reportedly by the Mokokchung (Nagaland) administration within the Dissoi Valley Reserve Forest under the Mariani range of the Jorhat Forest Division and stationing of armed Nagaland policemen there.
Responding to the situation, the Assam Police, too, on November 11 put up a temporary camp near the spot where Nagaland policemen were camping in order to prevent any further encroachment by the Nagaland side. It may also be mentioned here that on November 9, a Jorhat district administration team had demolished a temporary bamboo structure reportedly put up by the Nagaland government authorities.
When contacted, Jorhat Deputy Commissioner Roshni A Korati told this newspaper last evening that a DC and SP-level meeting between Jorhat and Mokokchung was scheduled to be held here on Wednesday to discuss the border situation.
Meanwhile, the police forces of both the states were staying put in their respective temporary camps, an official source stated. The source said that the situation was being closely watched by the Jorhat district and Titabar subdivisional authorities. Assam Police personnel deployed at the camp are on full alert to prevent any encroachment bid by the other side, the source said.
Additional Deputy Commissioner Khanindra Das, who is holding the charge as the Titabar Subdivisional Officer (Civil), when contacted, told this correspondent that the situation at the border is being constantly monitored and administration officials are taking stock of the situation on a regular basis by visiting the spot.
Das said that on Sunday he visited the site and interacted with personnel deployed at the temporary camp. The ADC, who is the in-charge Titabar SDO, said food and other essentials have been supplied to the policemen.
Das said that he also visited the spot � New Sonowal BOP of Assam � on the Mariani-Mokokchung Road, where protesters of KMSS, ATASU, Bir Lachit Sena and several local organizations have imposed an economic blockade, not letting any transport vehicle carrying goods go to Nagaland since November 15.
He said the protesters are allowing movement of ambulances, vehicles carrying sick people from Nagaland or returning, besides other emergency services.
