Local farmers in Assam’s Merapani, operating under the banner of the Merapani Seed Farm Bhumi Adhikar Dabi Samiti have lodged a complaint against the Nagaland Agriculture Department, reports said.
This comes after fresh tensions surfaced along the Assam-Nagaland border in Golaghat district.
The situation escalated on Monday at the Seed Farm located in Bheleuguri, when a large contingent of Nagaland Police, accompanied by officials of the Nagaland administration and representatives of the Merapani Village Council (Nagaland), arrived at the disputed site.
According to local sources, the group appeared to be attempting to restart construction of permanent RCC structures on the disputed land. However, villagers quickly gathered at the location and resisted the move, compelling the Nagaland team to retreat.
Anil Bora, Secretary of the samiti, alleged that earlier attempts to construct an RCC structure had been halted by villagers.
“We had stopped the construction earlier and sent the mason workers back. When we saw them coming again, we rushed to the spot. Upon our arrival, the CRPF camp commandant at the Seed Farm sharply disrespected us,” Bora alleged.
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He maintained that the residents are resolute in preventing any encroachment, emphasizing that the land in question falls within Assam’s jurisdiction.
Prasanta Chutiya, Joint Secretary of the Samiti, expressed concern that the proposed structure in Sector D of the Seed Farm at Joypur village could eventually be converted into a Nagaland Police camp.
He alleged that Nyamo Odyuo, Chairman of the Merapani Village Council (Nagaland), along with members of the Naga community and 20-30 police personnel, had visited the site to discuss construction plans.
The disputed tract reportedly covers nearly 1,200 acres in Sector D. Residents pointed out that previous attempts by the Nagaland Agriculture Department to plant oil palm saplings on the land had also been opposed, with saplings later removed after protests to prevent displacement of Assamese farmers.
