The Assam – Nagaland border areas in Sivasagar district of the state were tense following indefinite economic blockade launched jointly by 12 organizations against Nagaland at Halowating in the district on Friday.

The economic blockade against Nagaland has been carried out in protest against the neighbouring state's objection to set up a Border Out Post (BOP) at Amguri in Sivasagar district by Assam administration.

Locals alleged that in the Assam – Nagaland border, Naga miscreants with support from Nagaland police have harassed innocent villagers of Assam, forcefully taken away cattle, hens and demand ' taxes'. For this reason, villagers demanded to set up a BOP at Holowating in the border area.

"Nagaland government should restrain Naga miscreants, stop collection of illegal taxes from our villagers. The spot where Assam government decided to set up a BOP is within Assam but the move was objected by Nagaland government. Until Nagaland government drop its objection, we will continue economic blockade against the state", said a convenor of the economic blockade.

Assam – Nagaland border conflict is over five decades old.

Assam and Nagaland share a total of 512.1 kms of border, which falls in Jorhat, Sivsagar, Golaghat, Karbi Anglong and Dima Hasao districts of Assam. For the administrative purpose, the entire stretch of border has been divided into six sectors viz. A, B, C, D, E and F. Out of them most conflicting region is the Golaghat area belonging to sectors A and B.

Assam claims that Nagaland has encroached upon over 66,000 hectares in Sivasagar, Jorhat, Golaghat and Karbi Anglong districts. The encroached area also includes over 80 per cent of Assam reserved forests.

With the long pending boundary dispute between the two states, even a small localized issue turns into a major flare up warranting action from central government.

Featured Image: assamtimes