Ralan Area Lotha Hoho (RALH) and Ralan Range Union Dimapur (RRDU) Monday said May 26 incident at Liphanyan village, Wokha, which nearly aggravated into a communal clash, was provoked and created by illegal immigrants by undertaking electrification work assisted by the Assam government in the jurisdiction of Liphanyan village without consulting the land owners of Liphanyan village thereby violating the status quo being maintained in the border magistrate level.

In a joint statement, RALH chairman Lichio Kithan and RRUD chairman Samuel Ovung said claimed the immigrants residing in Liphanyan village jurisdiction has been carrying out electrification works in the paddy fields of Liphanyan jurisdiction without consulting or obtaining permission from Liphanyan villagers.

Stating that electrification works were being done only in the wee hours and on Sundays, the RALH and RRUD said as such Liphanyan village council gave a written as well as verbal complaint to the CRPF “so-called neutral force” to stop ongoing electrification works.

However, they said CRPF neither intervened nor stopped ongoing works as a result of which Liphanyan villagers had to dismantle all the electric posts on the morning of May 26.

Asserting many development works has been taking place and was going on in the Naga territories specially in Ralan area by illegal immigrants, the two bodies further said CRPF posted in the border areas were remaining blind and deaf despite of their best knowledge of ground realities.

They said CRPF should take the responsibility for any volatile or major situation created in the border areas (Ralan area), as it was because of their failure to maintain neutrality and for being biased towards the Nagas.

Meanwhile, two bodies also expressed appreciation to four legislators from Wokha district for visiting the spot and Ralan area on May 27 and thereby giving a sense of security to the affected people.

RALH and RRUD have acknowledged the timely arrival and intervention of border magistrate C-sector Nagaland, SDPO Bhandari, OC Ralan police station, company commander NAP 7, Ralan that led to amicable settlement and the illegal settlers accepting and acknowledging the Liphanyans as their land owners.

Meanwhile, the RALH and RRUD said they strongly supported the charter of demands submitted to the state governor by the NSF and by Dimapur Lotha Hoho addressed to the state chief secretary for the welfare of the Naga people residing in border areas.
They urged the responsible authority to fulfill the demands made by NSF and DLH soon.