Nagaland Assembly Flags Security, Encroachment Concerns Along Assam Border

Security concerns and alleged encroachment along the inter-state boundary with Assam were raised in the Nagaland Legislative Assembly, with legislators urging the government to strengthen measures to safeguard residents in the disputed border areas.
During a discussion in the Assembly, MLA Achumbemo Kikon highlighted problems faced by people living along the border, particularly in the Ralan sector, where frequent tensions between residents of the two states have been reported. He said the situation requires stronger administrative attention and protection for local communities.
Kikon referred to the 1972 interim agreement between Nagaland and Assam, under which Nagaland had withdrawn its police outposts from the disputed belt to ease tensions. However, he alleged that Assam later increased its security presence in the area, leading to concerns among residents.
Responding to the issue, Nagaland Deputy Chief Minister Yanthungo Patton, who also holds the Home and Border Affairs portfolio, informed the House that before the 1972 arrangement, Nagaland had five police outposts while Assam had 13 in the disputed region. Following the agreement, Nagaland removed its outposts, but Assam retained and later expanded its presence.
Patton told the Assembly that Assam now maintains several permanent police outposts along the disputed stretch. He said the Nagaland government is examining steps to strengthen security in vulnerable areas, including the possible establishment of nine new police outposts to improve policing and administration along the border.
Legislators also raised concerns about development challenges faced by residents in border villages. They noted that people living in some areas encounter difficulties in carrying out business activities and accessing essential services due to the long-standing boundary dispute.
The Assam–Nagaland boundary issue, spanning about 512 km, has remained unresolved for decades despite multiple rounds of talks between the two state governments and interventions by the Centre. Both states have periodically held negotiations to maintain peace and prevent clashes along the disputed border areas.