Assam, Nagaland meet to ease border tension

A high-level meeting between Assam and Nagaland that took place in Wokha district decided to ease the prevailing tension in Merapani where three houses were burnt. Deputy Commissioners and senior CRPF officials discussed the law and order situation along the interstate border. Tensions escalated after three houses on the Assam side were torched by a group of armed Nagas from across the border on June 11.

The Wokha district administration has agreed to pay Rs 10,000 each to the affected families and the CRPF has also agreed to intensify patrolling along the border. Peace committees have been engaged in the disputed area and some police personnel would also be deployed there for a few days.

The local unit of the All Assam Students Union (AASU) had blocked the road leading to Nagaland from Merapani yesterday in protest against the incident. This was lifted after receiving assurances from the district administration that measures would be put in place to prevent such unwanted occurrences.