Simeon Rongphar faction of Karbi Students’ Association (KSA) has threatened to launch an economic blockade against Nagaland if the authorities fail to organise a tripartite talk on the Assam-Nagaland border.

The students’ body has been demanding a tripartite talk on the Assam-Nagaland border issue among the governments of Assam, Nagaland and the Karbi Anglong Autonomous Council (KAAC).

Talking to reporters at its office in Diphu, Karbi Students’ Association president Rongphar said a four-hour economic blockade will be launched on November 20, if a discussion on the border issue is not held.

Also read: Assam-Nagaland border row: Tension continues for third day

“Encroachment is taking place inside Daldali Reserve Forest with the support of the district administration of Dimapur,” the Karbi student leader, Rongphar said.

“The Lotha and Tangkhul tribes are taking the lead in the encroachment. The encroachers have also removed border pillars No. 1 and No. 3. They claim that the area does not fall under reserve forest but belongs to Nagaland,” Rongphar said.

The Nagaland government has allegedly issued land pattas to the encroachers.

The KSA condemned the Nagaland chief minister for alleged encroachment of Assam land by Nagas.

The Karbi student leader alleged that people from Nagaland with support from the district administration of Dimapur have been making repeated attempts to claim the lands inside Daldali Reserve Forest.

In October, a large area of forest land was allegedly cleared by encroachers.

Following the encroachment, the district administrations of Karbi Anglong and Dimapur held a talk on the cleared land and the encroachers peacefully backed off.

“On Wednesday, the encroachers returned fully backed by the Nagaland armed police force and the Dimapur district administration,” sources said.

Nongee Terang is Northeast Now Correspondent in Diphu. He can be reached at: [email protected]