The AASU on Sunday threatened to launch an economic blockade against Nagaland if the neighbouring state continues “encroachment” of Assam land.
The All Assam Students Union (AASU) said they would not concede an inch of land to Nagaland.
A team of Jorhat AASU on Sunday visited Nagajanka, the spot where the Nagaland administration had set up a police camp inside Dissoi Valley Reserve Forest under Mariani Range of Jorhat forest division on November 10.
The step from the Nagaland administration triggered tension along the Assam-Nagaland border.
The next day, Assam Police set up a camp near the spot to stop further encroachment.
Also read: Assam-Nagaland border row: Tension continues for third day
Hectic parleys followed between officials of Jorhat and Mokokchung districts with the former demanding Nagaland to dismantle the bamboo and tarpaulin structure as it was constructed on the disputed land.
A few years ago, the Supreme Court ruled that status quo be maintained in the disputed areas and no state should make any construction until the conflict is resolved.
On November 9, Assam Police personnel dismantled a temporary structure which was reportedly constructed by the Mokokchung district administration.
Also read: Assam: Karbi students call for economic blockade of Nagaland
Just two days after the dismantling of that structure, the Nagaland administration set up another camp at a place about 200 metres away on a hillock which could house 25 people and had a separate room for rations.
The AASU unit flayed the Assam government for its failure to protect the state’s land and criticised chief minister Sarbananda Sonowal, who is also in charge of the home department.
The AASU leaders said the Assam CM is behaving like a silent, shy bride (Nimati Koina), even after Nagaland managed to “erect two Border Out Posts (BOPs) at Nagajanka, inside Assam territory”.
The AASU team lauded the Assam Police personnel for taking up a confrontational position at the place and firmly holding ground.
The team alleged that the Assam police personnel were short of food items and drinking water.
The AASU team alleged that 82% of Dissoi Valley Reserve Forest had been encroached by Nagaland and they had also built an RCC bridge and electrified the encroached areas.
Jorhat AASU general secretary Dip Dutta said the team had gone to boost the morale of the Assam Police but if the government fails to push back the Nagas, then they would resort to an agitation and if required, an economic blockade.