DIMAPUR, June 6 NNN: Confrontation between the Adivasi community and that of the Nagas in the Assam-Nagaland border is getting more and more serious on every passing day.
\nThe All Assam Adivasi Students Association (AAASA) has imposed indefinite economic blockade against Nagaland at Bokajan area in Karbi Anglong district of Assam bordering Nagaland since 5 am today.
\nThe killing of one Adivasi man identified as Sanjay Bhumji in the exchange of gun fire between the Nagas and the Adivasis at Mokokchung area on June 3 has prompted several Adivasi organisations to impose blockade against Nagaland in three different outlets\u2014one at Mokokchung, the other at Mon and since today along National Highway 39 at Bokajan, Assam.
\nAt Mokokchung, the Nagas themselves are imposing blockade against along the roads leading to Assam since June 4.
\nMeanwhile, reports said several goods trucks are stranded at Bokajan including Manipur bound trucks due to the Adivasi students\u2019 body.
\nHowever, it is yet to confirm how many Manipur trucks got stranded at Bokajan.
\nSince last month, tension has been brewing between Adivasis and Nagas in the Nagaland-Assam border of Mariani.
\nThe Nagas accuse the Adivasis of encroaching their land while the Adivasis counter the Nagas of dismantling their fields.
\nOn June 3, villagers from across the borders had exchanged fire and a bullet hit Sanjay Bhumji\u2019s chest. He was rushed to Jorhat Medical College but succumbed shortly.
\nThis incident happened barely after a week\u2019s of imposing blockade and counter blockade in the border area.
\nOn May 27, under the banner of the All Assam Tea Tribes\u2019 Students Association (AATTSA), the Adivasis had imposed blockade to Nagaland at Mariani area of Assam-Nagaland border accusing the Nagas of assaulting the some Adivasis. On the other hand, the Nagas had alleged that the Adivasis were encroaching into Nagas\u2019 land and had destroyed the standing crops in the fields of the Nagas at Mariani area.
\n\u201cUnable to restrain further, the villagers waylaid the encroachers on May 23 and caught two encroachers red-handed in the act of destroying plantation and cultivated land within the village ancestral land near the Assam border. The encroachers culprits were handed over to the Police Station of Longchem Hq for necessary action,\u201d the Naga villages of Nokpu Village Council and Saring Nokpu B Village Council had stated.
\nVehicles from Nagaland and travelers at Mariani were blocked since last week demanding that the government of Assam arrest those Naga villagers involved in the abduction and assault incident on two Adivasis failing,which indefinite road blockade would be imposed on Nagaland.
\nCountering to the act of the Adivasi community, the apex body of the Ao Nagas under the banner of Ao Senden had imposed counter-blockade from 6 am of May 28.
\nThe Nokpu Village Council and Saring Nokpu \u2018B\u2019 village Council of Nagaland alleged that activities of the \u2018encroachers\u2019 from Assam side, comprising of armed Adivasis and illegal immigrants under the instigation of some individual with selfish vested interest from the area are still continuing.
\nThe village councils had then said there are historical facts and evidence that tells us about having very good Ahoms ? Naga relationship which exist till today; and even closer relationship between the communities living border areas, both village council re-iterates that people of Nokpu village still maintained the age old close relationship with the people of Ahoms. And there is no misunderstanding with the people of Assamese people except that we are against illegal immigrants who are encroaching our ancestral land, it added.
\n\u201cTherefore, the action of the villagers in apprehending the encroachers\/culprit and approaching authorities for taking action as per law should not be construed as kidnapping case, and further, both the council appeal to the local residence of Naganijan\/Nakachari\/Mariani section; not to resort to false allegation which would result disturbing peace in the area, And also pointed out that if any encroachers are caught in future the village will deal with them as per customary law of the land,\u201d the Village Councils had stated.
\nThere are around 80 lakhs population of Adivasis in Assam alone and a couple of Adivasi based militant outfits are existing demanding a Adivasi statehood by carving out a portion of Assam state.<\/p>\n\n