Rights & Risks Analysis Group P.O. Box 9627, Janakpuri, New -110058 Email: director @rightsrisks.org; Website: www.rightsrisks.org Phone: +91-11-256205830

10 August 2021

BORDER DISPUTES IN THE NORTHEAST: THE RAGING WAR WITHIN

INSIDE

1. Executive summary and recommendations 1 2. The costs of border disputes and the war within 6 2.1 Boundary dispute between and Mizoram 9 2.2 Boundary dispute between Assam and 14 2.3 Boundary dispute between Assam and 15 2.4 Boundary dispute between Assam and Nagaland 17

BORDER DISPUTES IN THE NORTHEAST: THE RAGING WAR WITHIN

1. Executive summary and recommendations

he violent armed clashes The dispute between Assam and between the Assam Police and Mizoram relates to the claim of Tthe Mizoram Police on 26 July Mizoram that its border in the 2021 led to the death of seven persons northern side is based on the boundary including six policemen from Assam set for application of the Inner Line of and injuries to 60 others.1 The death of 1875 under the Bengal Eastern at least 157 persons and injuries to at Frontier Regulation of 1873 and not as least another 361 persons and per the boundary redrawn as per 1933 displacement of more than 65,729 notification.3 Similarly, the boundary persons from 1979 to 2021 (26 July) in dispute between Assam and Meghalaya the clashes over border disputes relates to the boundaries of the between Assam on one hand and the erstwhile United Khasi and Jaintia states curved out of Assam i.e. Hills district notified in 1835.4 The Arunachal Pradesh, Meghalaya, boundary dispute between Assam and Mizoram, and Nagaland on the other Nagaland relates to the rejection of the warrant permanent peace building Nagaland State Act of 1962, which had measures. defined the state’s borders as per the 1925 notification under which Naga i. The border disputes and failed Hills and Tuensang Area, by Nagaland attempts for solutions that demands the inclusion of all the Naga- dominated areas in Assam into The border disputes primarily relate to its territory.5 The boundary dispute Assam and the States which were born between Assam and Arunachal out of Assam i.e. Arunachal Pradesh2, Pradesh relates to the transfer of about Nagaland, Mizoram and Meghalaya 30,000 sq km of land from then North over claims on territories as per East Frontier Agency (NEFA), the boundaries drawn by the colonial current Arunachal Pradesh, to Assam British.

3. Border Dispute: Mizoram Stands By 1875 1. Assam-Mizo clashes because of Himanta Document On Boundary With Assam, Outlook, Biswa Sarma's ‘expansionist’ tendencies, says 31 July 2021, MP, The Hindu, 04 August 2021, https://www.outlookindia.com/website/story/i https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/ass ndia-news-border-dispute-mizoram-stands- am-mizo-clashes-because-of-himanta- by-1875-document-on-boundary-with- biswa-sarmas-expansionist-tendencies-says- assam/390072 mp/article35715946.ece 4. All you need to know about Assam’s border 2. Arunachal Pradesh, former North East disputes with NE states, The Tribune, 29 July Frontier Agency was not a part of Assam. It 2021, was a centrally administered territory usually https://www.tribuneindia.com/news/nation/all looked after the Governor of Assam and it was -you-need-to-know-about-assams-border- initially under the Ministry of External Affairs disputes-with-ne-states-290060 of the Government of 5. Ibid 1

BORDER DISPUTES IN THE NORTHEAST: THE RAGING WAR WITHIN

based on the recommendations of the which in its 2014 report recommended Bordoloi Committee report of 1951.6 the transfer of around 70-80 per cent of the disputed land to Arunachal The States usually approach the Pradesh.8 The Centre had also Supreme Court to resolve disputes. constituted two boundary The demarcation of boundaries is an commissions i.e. the Sundaram executive task and the Supreme Court Commission (1971) and the Shastri usually recommended the formation of Commission (1985) to settle the the boundary commissions. However, Assam-Nagaland border disputes but if any of the States does not accept the both the States rejected the recommendations of the boundary recommendations of these commissions including those committees.9 appointed by the Supreme Court, little progress can be made. ii. The human toll of Indian citizens In the past, the recommendations of the boundary commissions have been The failure to maintain the ‘status quo’ consistently rejected. On led to loss of lives, mass the Assam-Meghalaya displacement and other border dispute, The death of at least 157 human rights violations. Meghalaya had rejected persons, injuries to at the recommendations of least another 361 persons Apart from regular Justice YV Chadrachud and displacement of more destruction of the Committee which had than 65,729 persons in standing crops by the awarded Langpih to the border clashes in the police, from 1979 to 2021 Assam while Assam had North East from 1979 to (26 July), at least 157 accepted the 2021 (26 July), warrant persons were reportedly 7 recommendations. But, permanent peace building killed, at least 361 persons Assam itself had rejected measures. were injured and more the recommendations of than 65,729 persons were the three- member displaced in the border boundary commission appointed by clashes between Assam in one hand the Supreme Court on the Assam- and Arunachal Pradesh, Meghalaya, Arunachal Pradesh border dispute

6. Disputed land should be returned to 8. Disputed land should be returned to Arunachal, says panel report, The Indian Arunachal, says panel report, The Indian Express, 1 February 2014, Express, 1 February 2014, https://indianexpress.com/article/india/india- https://indianexpress.com/article/india/india- others/disputed-land-should-be-returned-to- others/disputed-land-should-be-returned-to- arunachal-says-panel-report/ arunachal-says-panel-report/ 7. All you need to know about Assam’s border 9. All you need to know about Assam’s border disputes with NE states, The Tribune, 29 July disputes with NE states, The Tribune, 29 July 2021, 2021, https://www.tribuneindia.com/news/nation/all https://www.tribuneindia.com/news/nation/all -you-need-to-know-about-assams-border- -you-need-to-know-about-assams-border- disputes-with-ne-states-290060 disputes-with-ne-states-290060 2

BORDER DISPUTES IN THE NORTHEAST: THE RAGING WAR WITHIN

Mizoram and Nagaland on the other Nagaland House adopting a resolution based on the major incidents reported. on 5 August 2021 for resolving the border dispute with Assam out of court Out of the 157 reported deaths, the and amicably with the involvement of maximum number of deaths took place 11 in Assam-Nagaland border dispute the local people of both the States. with 136 deaths followed by Assam- On 6 August 2021, Assam and Arunachal Pradesh border dispute with 10 deaths, Assam-Mizoram Meghalaya governments also decided border dispute with 7 deaths and to start settling the “less complicated” Assam-Meghalaya border dispute with areas of dispute first along the 884.9 4 deaths. km border and formed three regional committees consisting of five member Out of the 361 persons injured, the each headed by Cabinet Minister to maximum number of people were first get the views of the people living injured in Assam-Nagaland border dispute with 184 persons, followed by in the disputed areas and prepare a Assam-Mizoram border dispute with recommendation within 30 days for a injuries to 143 persons, Assam- decision at the level of the Chief Meghalaya border dispute with Ministers. 12 injuries to 18 persons and Assam- Arunachal Pradesh border dispute With the aim to bring down the temper with injuries to 16 persons. The border following the clashes on 26 July 2021, dispute between Assam and Mizoram Assam and Mizoram signed an mainly intensified in 2018 and the agreement on 5 August 2021 to injuries to 143 persons indicate the intensity of the clashes. withdraw forces from all disputed border areas and work towards lasting peace.13 iii. Renewed peace initiatives or one upmanship? nagaland-agree-to-withdraw-forces-from- two-disputed-locations-in-dessoi-valley Following the violent clashes between 11. Assam, Meghalaya form regional panels for Assam and Mizoram Police on 26 July border settlement, The Hindu, 6 August 2021, 2021, the Assam and Nagaland https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/oth governments on 31 July 2021 agreed to er-states/assam-meghalaya-form-regional- withdraw their armed police forces panels-for-border- from the disputed areas in the Dessoi settlement/article35761405.ece 12. Assam, Meghalaya form regional panels for Valley reserve forest area within 24 border settlement, The Hindu, 6 August 2021, 10 hours. This was followed by the https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/oth er-states/assam-meghalaya-form-regional- panels-for-border- 10. Assam, Nagaland agree to withdraw forces settlement/article35761405.ece from two disputed locations in Dessoi Valley, 13. Assam, Mizoram to withdraw forces; travel Scroll.in, 31 July 2021, advisory dropped, The Hindustan Times, 6 https://scroll.in/latest/1001655/assam- August 2021, 3

BORDER DISPUTES IN THE NORTHEAST: THE RAGING WAR WITHIN

On 15 July 2021, Arunachal Pradesh by the Ministry of Home Affairs16 Chief Minister stated cannot manufacture the political will Assam and Arunachal Pradesh have over claims on territories based on borders drawn by the colonial British agreed to find an out-of-court solution as early as 1835 i.e. about 186 years 14 to their inter-state boundary dispute. ago.

It remains to be seen whether Assam’s As the attempts to finding solutions to initiatives are part of the attempts to the border disputes continue, find genuine solution with its considering the toll on the citizens of neighbours or one-upmanship to the country living in these disputed counter allegations of expansionism by areas and peace hanging by a thread, leaders from Mizoram.15 there is an urgent need to take a number of measures to prevent iv. Recommendations conflicts and further loss of lives.

The reference to the will of the ‘local The Rights and Risks Analysis Group people’ and public announcement of (RRAG) recommends the following for the political leaders to not give “an maintaining status quo till final inch” from the territory of the State resolution of the boundary disputes: have been the common refrain. The Union of India too preferred to remain - Identify the line of de facto as a mute witness. control of the areas and deploy police from both the States who The issue has never been the absence will operate under coordination of technology and expertise to draw of the Central Reserved Police the boundaries of the States but the Force with respect to any absence of political will. Satellite dispute including maintenance mapping to demarcate boundaries and of law and order; settle such disputes as being suggested - Jointly ensure maintenance and enforcement of law and order https://www.hindustantimes.com/cities/others along the line of de facto /assam-mizoram-ministers-meet-in-aizawl- control; today-to-resolve-border-dispute- 101628152072265.html - Conduct biometric 14. Assam, Arunachal Pradesh Working To Fix documentation of the residents Border Dispute Out Of Court, NDTV, 15 July living within the disputed areas 2021, https://www.ndtv.com/india- on both sides of the States and news/assam-arunachal-pradesh-working-to- fix-border-dispute-out-of-court-2487623 15. Assam-Mizo clashes because of Himanta 16. Centre to use satellite mapping to resolve Biswa Sarma's ‘expansionist’ tendencies, says NE border disputes, The Hindu, 01 August MP, The Hindu, 04 August 2021, 2021, https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/ass https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/oth am-mizo-clashes-because-of-himanta- er-states/centre-to-use-satellite-mapping- biswa-sarmas-expansionist-tendencies-says- to-resolve-ne-border- mp/article35715946.ece disputes/article35663862.ece 4

BORDER DISPUTES IN THE NORTHEAST: THE RAGING WAR WITHIN

issue IDs and declare their including the State entities in names through gazette the disputed areas; and notification to prohibit settlement in new areas unless - Ensure mutual consent from agreed by both parties; both the States for any activity including entry of the police - Prohibit new settlement or along the line of de facto establishment of structures by control. any individual and entity

5

BORDER DISPUTES IN THE NORTHEAST: THE RAGING WAR WITHIN

2. The costs of border disputes and the war within he North East consists of Arunachal Pradesh, Assam, TManipur, Meghalaya, Mizoram, Nagaland, Sikkim and though Sikkim has been added as part of the North Eastern Council because of its cultural similarities even though it does not share direct border with any of the North Eastern States.

The border disputes are mainly between Assam and the States which were curved out of Assam i.e. Arunachal Pradesh, Meghalaya, Mizoram and Nagaland with the claims over boundaries drawn by the colonial British.

The clashes over border disputes have taken a heavy toll as provided in the Table below prepared based on the major incidents reported and excluding the sporadic incidents.

Table: Major incidents of killings, injuries and displacement during border clashes in

State Date of No of Persons No. of Persons No. of Persons Incident Killed Injured Displaced

Assam- 08.03.201817 20 Mizoram 17.08.202018 7

17. NE Dispatch: Violence Along Assam-Mizoram Border; First Plane Lands at Sikkim's Pakyong Airport, The Wire, 10 March 2018, https://thewire.in/politics/ne-dispatch-violence-along-assam-mizoram-border- first-plane-lands-at-sikkims-pakyong-airport 6

BORDER DISPUTES IN THE NORTHEAST: THE RAGING WAR WITHIN

17.10.202019 50

09.02.202120 6

26.07.202121 7 60

Sub-total 7 143

Assam- 05.01.197922 54 39 23,500 Nagaland June 198523 41 101 32,229

07.04.198924 25 15

July 200725 2

August 201426 11 20 10,000

May 201727 3 6

18. Assam-Mizoram border: 7 injured in clashes, huts set afire, Hindustan Times, 19 October 2020, https://www.hindustantimes.com/india-news/assam-mizoram-border-7-injured-in-clashes-huts-set- afire/story-97dN6e2a6rMTIjfmFHqcSM.html 19. Tension at Assam-Mizoram border as about 50 hurt in violent clash; shops, houses set ablaze, DNA, 19 October 2020, https://www.dnaindia.com/india/report-tension-at-assam-mizoram-border-as-about- 50-hurt-in-violent-clash-shops-houses-set-ablaze-2850830 20. Six injured in fresh clashes along Assam-Mizoram border, Scroll.in, 10 February 2021, https://scroll.in/latest/986502/six-injured-in-fresh-clashes-along-assam-mizoram-border 21. Assam-Mizo clashes because of 's ‘expansionist’ tendencies, says MP, The Hindu, 04 August 2021, https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/assam-mizo-clashes-because-of-himanta- biswa-sarmas-expansionist-tendencies-says-mp/article35715946.ece 22. Conflict Mapping and Peace Processes in Northeast India, North Eastern Social Research Centre, 2008, https://www.nesrc.org/Monographs/PeaceBook.pdf 23. Ibid 24. Ibid 25. The Assam-Nagaland Border Face Off, Namrata Goswami, Institute of Defence Studies and Analysis, August 17, 2007, https://idsa.in/idsastrategiccomments/TheAssamNagalandBorderFaceOff_NGoswami_170807 26. Examining the Assam-Nagaland Border Crisis, Namrata Goswami, Manohar Parrikar Institute for Defence Studies and Analyses, 21 August 2014, https://idsa.in/idsacomments/ExaminingtheAssamNagalandBorder_ngoswami_210814 7

BORDER DISPUTES IN THE NORTHEAST: THE RAGING WAR WITHIN

May 202128 3

Sub-total 136 184 65,729

Assam- 14.05.201029 4 18 Meghalaya Sub-total 4 18

Assam- 200730 8 Arunachal 31 Pradesh 29.01.2014 10 8 Sub-total 10 16

Grand Total 157 361 65,729

27. Assam-Nagaland border clashes: Three killed in fresh police firing; curfew imposed, The Indian Express, 10 May 2017, https://indianexpress.com/article/india/india-others/assam-nagaland-border- clashes-three-killed-in-fresh-police-firing-curfew-imposed/ 28. Examining the Assam-Nagaland Border Crisis, Namrata Goswami, Manohar Parrikar Institute for Defence Studies and Analyses, 21 August 2014, https://idsa.in/idsacomments/ExaminingtheAssamNagalandBorder_ngoswami_210814 and “Assam, Nagaland agree to withdraw forces from two disputed locations in Dessoi Valley”, Scroll.in, 31 July 2021, https://scroll.in/latest/1001655/assam-nagaland-agree-to-withdraw-forces-from-two-disputed- locations-in-dessoi-valley 29. Assam Meghalaya Border Dispute, Land Conflict Watch, 2 November 2019, https://www.landconflictwatch.org/conflicts/assam-meghalaya-border-dispute 30. Behind The Assam Killings, Newslaundry, 30 January 2014, https://www.newslaundry.com/2014/01/30/behind-the-assam-killings 31. ‘Arunachal snatching our land, govt has failed to protect us’, The Indian Express, 31 January 2014, https://indianexpress.com/article/india/india-others/arunachal-snatching-our-land-govt-has-failed-to- protect-us/ 8

BORDER DISPUTES IN THE NORTHEAST: THE RAGING WAR WITHIN

Apart from regular destruction of the However, the boundary dispute between standing crops by the police, from 1979 Assam and Mizoram remain unresolved. to 2021 (26 July), at least 157 persons were reportedly killed while at least 361 The boundaries of the Lushai Hills were persons were injured and more than demarcated on the basis of the 1875 65,729 persons were displaced in the notification under the Bengal Eastern border clashes between Assam in one Frontier Regulation of 1873. The hand and Arunachal Pradesh, boundaries were further re-drawn by a Meghalaya, Mizoram and Nagaland on notification in 1933. While Mizoram the other. accepts the 1875 demarcation claiming that its leaders were consulted, it does Out of the 157 reported deaths, the not accept the 1933 notification on the maximum number of deaths took place basis of which it became a UT and State in Assam-Nagaland border dispute with on the ground that its leaders were not 136 deaths followed by Assam- consulted.32 Assam on the other hand Arunachal Pradesh border dispute with accepts resolution based on the 1933 10 deaths, Assam-Mizoram border notification. dispute with 7 deaths and Assam- Meghalaya border dispute with 4 deaths. The issue remained unresolved and both states continue to have a differing Out of the 361 persons injured, the perception of the border, leading to maximum number of people were clashes over the years. injured in Assam-Nagaland border dispute with 184 persons, followed by The initial border clashes over control of Assam-Mizoram border dispute with land between the two States took place injuries to 143 persons, Assam- in 1994. Thereafter, major clashes took Meghalaya border dispute with injuries place in 2006, 2018, 2020 and the latest to 18 persons and Assam-Arunachal one on 26 July 2021, which escalated to Pradesh border dispute with injuries to unprecedented level.33 16 persons. The border dispute between Assam and Mizoram mainly intensified in 2018 and the injuries to 143 persons 32. Border Dispute: Mizoram Stands By 1875 indicate the intensity of the clashes. Document On Boundary With Assam, Outlook, 31 July 2021, 2.1 Boundary dispute between https://www.outlookindia.com/website/story/in Assam and Mizoram dia-news-border-dispute-mizoram-stands-by- 1875-document-on-boundary-with-

assam/390072 Mizoram was originally a part of 33 undivided Assam and was known as the . Assam-Mizoram border row has roots in Lushai Hills district. It became a Union 1875 Frontier Regulation, Daily Pioneer, 28 July Territory (UT) in 1972 and got 2021, Statehood in 1987 following the signing https://www.dailypioneer.com/2021/pioneer- of the Mizoram Peace Accord. exclusive/assam-mizoram-border-row-has- roots-in-1875-frontier-regulation.html 9

BORDER DISPUTES IN THE NORTHEAST: THE RAGING WAR WITHIN

Several dialogues were held since 1995 and 377.58 hectares of land in to resolve the dispute but without any Karimganj district.35 success. i. Location of the dispute and claims ii. Chronology leading upto 26 July violence Assam and Mizoram inter-state boundary is 164.6 km. Three districts of The 26 July violent clashes did not take Mizoram - Kolasib, Aizawl and Mamit place out of sudden. The crisis has been share the border with Cachar, building up since 2020 as the incidents Hailakandi and Karimganj districts of described below show: Assam. Both States accuse each other of encroachment along the bordering 9 August 2020: districts. However, most of the dispute and clashes have been reported along On 9 August 2020, a border dispute had the border between Lailapur village in flared up between the two neighbouring Cachar district, Assam and Vairengte in states when Karimganj district Kolasib district, Mizoram. administration, Assam allegedly set fire to a farm hut and damaged plantation Mizoram claims 509 sq mile or about on disputed land near Thinghlun village 1,318 sq km area of the inner-line in Mamit district of Mizoram.36 reserve forest notified based on the Bengal Eastern Frontier Regulation of 17 August 2020: 1873. However, Assam is not willing to give up any of its territory.34 In fact on On 17 August 2020, at least seven 12 July 2021, Assam Chief Minister persons from Mizoram side were injured Himanta Biswa Sarma informed the when villagers of Lailapur in Cachar State Assembly that Mizoram has district of Assam clashed with residents encroached upon 1,777 hectares of land of Vairengte in Kolasib district, in Assam spread across three bordering Mizoram. The clashes reportedly started districts of Hailakandi, Cachar and after some people from the Mizoram Karimganj. These included about 1,000 hectares of land in Hailakandi district, 400 hectares of land in Cachar district 35. People of Mizoram have encroached upon 1,777 hectares of Assam land: CM Himanta Biswa Sarma, India Today, 13 July 2021, https://www.indiatoday.in/india/story/mizoram 34. Decoded | Assam-Mizoram border dispute: A -encroachment-assam-himanta-biswa-sarma- row unresolved for almost 150 years, 29 July 1827595-2021-07-13 2021, 36. Several injured as fresh border dispute erupts https://www.indiatoday.in/india/story/decoded- in Mizoram, East Mojo, 10 February 2021, assam-mizoram-border-dispute-a-row- https://www.eastmojo.com/news/2021/02/10/s unresolved-for-almost-150-years-1833114- everal-injured-as-fresh-border-dispute-erupts- 2021-07-27 in-mizoram/ 10

BORDER DISPUTES IN THE NORTHEAST: THE RAGING WAR WITHIN

side torched some huts made by by miscreants at Khulicherra area in Lailapur residents on a disputed area.37 Cachar district near the inter-state border.39 17 October 2020: 27 October 2020: On 17 October 2020, at least 50 persons were injured and several shops and On 27 October 2020, Mizoram security houses were burnt down on either side personnel had allegedly prevented the of the Mizoram-Assam border. The Assam Forest Department officials, led clashes took place after Mizoram by Divisional Forest Officer, Cachar government set up a COVID-19 testing district from visiting some forest areas centre at Lailapur in Cachar district at Haowaifung along the border, saying allegedly without permission of the it falls in their territory.40 Assam government. Following objection, some youths allegedly from Mizoram 28 October 2020: came to Lailapur on 17 October 2020 and attacked the truck drivers, villagers On 28 October 2020, several agitators and burnt more than 15 small shops- blocked the National Highway 306, the cum-houses. On the other hand, life-line of Mizoram which connects villagers of Mamit district, Mizoram Vairengte in Kolasib district. The which is contiguous to Cachar district protestors demanded that Mizoram alleged that miscreants from Cachar withdraw its security personnel from came to their villages and attacked territory of Assam in Cachar and shops and houses, causing huge Karimganj districts. According to Assam damage.38 police, more than 100 people had blocked the highway at Lailapur, leaving 24 October 2020: more than 100 goods-laden vehicles stranded on the either side of the inter- On 24 October 2020, a school building state border.41 was destroyed following a blast triggered 39. Bomb blast at another primary school as 37. Assam-Mizoram border: 7 injured in clashes, Assam-Mizoram border remains tense, India huts set afire, Hindustan Times, 19 October Today, 7 November 2020, 2020, https://www.hindustantimes.com/india- https://www.indiatoday.in/cities/guwahati/story news/assam-mizoram-border-7-injured-in- /bomb-blast-at-another-primary-school-as- clashes-huts-set-afire/story- assam-mizoram-border-remains-tense- 97dN6e2a6rMTIjfmFHqcSM.html 1738931-2020-11-07 38. Tension at Assam-Mizoram border as about 40. Agitators block Assam's National Highway 50 hurt in violent clash; shops, houses set 306 over border dispute with Mizoram, India TV, ablaze, DNA, 19 October 2020, 29 October 2020, https://www.dnaindia.com/india/report- https://www.indiatvnews.com/news/india/assa tension-at-assam-mizoram-border-as-about- m-mizoram-border-dispute-assam-national- 50-hurt-in-violent-clash-shops-houses-set- highway-306-blocked-660676 ablaze-2850830 41.Ibid 11

BORDER DISPUTES IN THE NORTHEAST: THE RAGING WAR WITHIN

2 November 2020: 9 February 2021:

On 2 November 2020, Intyaz Ali (48), a On 9 February 2021, at least six persons resident of Lailapur in Cachar district, were injured when a fresh border Assam, died in a hospital at Vairengte in dispute took place on the disputed land Kolasib district, Mizoram after he was along the Mizoram-Assam border at allegedly arrested for drug peddling. The Zophai area near Bairabi town in death triggered border tension between Kolasib district of Mizoram. Several the two states.42 houses were also torched by miscreants in the area.45 The area is also called 7 November 2020: Kachurthal by Assam and falls within Hailakandi district. The incident took On 7 November 2020, a bomb blast took place when Assam allegedly constructed place at a primary school in a remote a link road into the disputed land. forest area of Sadirkhal in Dholai area in Mizoram police claimed that two staff of Cachar district, Assam near the inter- State’s Power and Electricity state border. The school was destroyed department and a member of Bairabi in the explosion that was carried out by Village Council, who had gone to unknown miscreants.43 conduct a survey for power extension, were beaten up by residents of Assam 3 February 2021: when they took pictures, which resulted in bitter clash between residents of the On 3 February 2021, a school building two States.46 Following the incident, was damaged in a powerful bomb Section 144 was imposed along the explosion at Kachurthal area in Assam-Mizoram border in Hailakandi Hailakandi district of Assam near district.47 Mizoram-Assam border.44 https://www.ndtv.com/india-news/blast- 42. Assam-Mizoram border tense after death of damages-assam-school-near-mizoram-border- an alleged drug peddler, East Mojo, 3 November 2362677 2020, 45. Six injured in fresh clashes along Assam- https://www.eastmojo.com/news/2020/11/03/ Mizoram border, Scroll.in, 10 February 2021, assam-mizoram-border-tense-after-death-of- https://scroll.in/latest/986502/six-injured-in- an-alleged-drug-peddler/ fresh-clashes-along-assam-mizoram-border 43. Bomb blast at another primary school as 46. Several injured as fresh border dispute erupts Assam-Mizoram border remains tense, India in Mizoram, East Mojo, 10 February 2021, Today, 7 November 2020, https://www.eastmojo.com/news/2021/02/10/s https://www.indiatoday.in/cities/guwahati/story everal-injured-as-fresh-border-dispute-erupts- /bomb-blast-at-another-primary-school-as- in-mizoram/ assam-mizoram-border-remains-tense- 47. Assam: Section 144 imposed in Hailakandi 1738931-2020-11-07 after 20 houses burnt near Mizoram border, East 44. Blast Damages Assam School Near Mizoram Mojo, 10 February 2021, Border: Police, NDTV, 4 February 2021, https://www.eastmojo.com/news/2021/02/10/ 12

BORDER DISPUTES IN THE NORTHEAST: THE RAGING WAR WITHIN

2 June 2021: 30 June 2021:

On 2 June 2021, standing crops of four On 30 June 2021, Mizoram accused farmers were allegedly damaged when Assam of encroaching upon its land in Assam police attempted to build camp the Kolasib district which borders posts at Ailawng in Kolasib district, Assam. While Assam accused Mizoram Mizoram.48 of building structures and planting betel nut and banana saplings allegedly 10 km 4 June 2021: inside Hailakandi in Assam. Vanlalfaka Ralte, Superintendent of Police (SP) of On 4 June 2021 night, two houses in Kolasib district claimed that over a Gutgutia-Gallacher area were burnt hundred officials and policemen led by down by unknown miscreants near Deputy Commissioner and SP of Assam-Mizoram border. Both the states Hailakandi district, Assam entered claimed that the incident took place Mizoram’s territory and were camping inside their territory. Vanlalfaka Ralte, there.50 the Superintendent of Police (SP) of Kolasib district, Mizoram claimed that 10 July 2021: the abandoned houses were located in Zophai area near Bairabi town in the On 10 July 2021, standing crops and district. While Ramandeep Kaur, SP of betel nut trees belonging to a Mizoram Hailakandi district, Assam claimed that farmer were reportedly damaged during miscreants from Mizoram burned down the eviction drive as claimed by Assam the two houses and they also erected a Police and officials at Buarchep near structure 300 metres inside Assam’s Phainuam village, Mizoram. On the territory near Gutguti area in the same day, a grenade was allegedly district.49 hurled on an Assam government team visiting the border by unknown people.51

25 July 2021:

On 25 July 2021 at about 11.30 pm, eight assam-section-144-imposed-in-hailakandi- farmers’ huts were reportedly set ablaze after-20-houses-burnt-near-mizoram-border/ by unidentified miscreants near Aitlang 48. Mizoram farmers suffer the brunt of Assam- stream at Vairengte, the nearest border Mizoram border tensions, East Mojo, 14 July village, according to Mizoram Deputy 2021, https://www.eastmojo.com/mizoram/2021/07/ 14/mizoram-farmers-suffer-the-brunt-of- 50. Assam-Mizoram Border Dispute: All About assam-mizoram-border-tensions/ the Festering Row Dating Back to Colonial Era 49. Tension along Assam-Mizoram border as 2 Laws, News18, 26 July 2021, houses burned down, Outlook, 6 June 2021, https://www.news18.com/news/india/assam- https://www.outlookindia.com/newsscroll/tensi mizoram-border-dispute-a-brief-history-of- on-along-assammizoram-border-as-2-houses- land-encroachment-and-clashes-4009862.html burned-down/2097150 51. Ibid 13

BORDER DISPUTES IN THE NORTHEAST: THE RAGING WAR WITHIN

Inspector-General of Police (Northern between Meghalaya and Assam. Range), Lalbiakthanga Khiangte. The Meghalaya opposed this Act, which gave area, locally known as ‘Aitlang hnar’ or Blocks I and II of the Mikir Hills the source of river Aitlang, is considered (present day Karbi Anglong district) to as a part of Mizoram and is about 5 km Assam. from Vairengte village in Kolasib district which borders Assam.52 Meghalaya claims that Blocks I and II of then the Mikir Hills formed part of the On 26 July 2021, the dispute further erstwhile United Khasi and Jaintia Hills escalated to unprecedented levels, as district when it was notified in 1835. firing on the inter-state boundary left at Meghalaya’ claims are based on survey least seven persons including five Assam maps of 1872 and 1929 and certain police personnel dead and over 60 notifications of 1878 and 1951. persons injured along the border between Lailapur village, Cachar district The State government of Meghalaya and Vairengte in Kolasib district. The claims 12 disputed areas along Assam government claimed that Meghalaya-Assam border covering an Mizoram had begun constructing a road area of 2,765.14 sq. km.54 These 12 from Vairengte towards Rengti Basti in disputed places along the inter-state Assam, destroying the Inner Line border are 1) Upper Tarabari, 2) Gazang Reserve Forest in Lailapur area. A team reserve Forest, 3) Hahim, 4) Langpih, 5) of Assam officers had gone there to Borduar, 6) Boklapara, 7) Nongwah, 8) defuse the situation and resolve the Matamur, 9) Khanapara-Pilangkata, 10) matter. While Mizoram claimed that the Deshdemoreah Block I and Block II, 11) Assam police entered Mizoram’s Khanduli and 12) Retacherra.55 territory and committed arson.53 The Assam government says those places belong to Assam.56 In 1985, a 2.2 Boundary dispute between

Assam and Meghalaya 54. Dual voter cards in way of settling border row

with Assam: Meghalaya minister, The Hindu, 17 Assam and Meghalaya share an 884.9 January 2020, km long border. The Assam https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/dual- Reorganisation (Meghalaya) Act of 1969 voter-cards-in-way-of-settling-border-row- is the source of the border dispute with-assam-meghalaya- minister/article30580463.ece 52. Ibid 55. 12 Areas of Dispute on Meghalaya-Assam 53. Assam-Mizo clashes because of Himanta Border, Outlook, 12 March 2012, Biswa Sarma's ‘expansionist’ tendencies, says https://www.outlookindia.com/newswire/story/ MP, The Hindu, 04 August 2021, 12-areas-of-dispute-on-meghalaya-assam- https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/assa border/755122 m-mizo-clashes-because-of-himanta-biswa- 56. Assam, Meghalaya CMs hold discussions over sarmas-expansionist-tendencies-says- border dispute, India Today, 24 July 2021, mp/article35715946.ece https://www.indiatoday.in/india/story/assam- 14

BORDER DISPUTES IN THE NORTHEAST: THE RAGING WAR WITHIN

Committee headed by YV Chandrachud, Garo Hills district of Meghalaya in May retired chief justice of India had 2010.60 awarded Langpih to Assam based on the maps presented by the State.57 On 24 April 2021, a 17 member team Meghalaya had rejected the comprising Assam Police and Forest recommendations of the Chandrachud Department officials allegedly entered Committee based on maps provided by Umbah village near Kyrshai in West the then United Khasi and Jaintia Hills Khasi Hills, Meghalaya and destroyed District Council and the traditional four houses of villagers residing along chieftains (syiem) of the area.58 Meghalaya-Assam border and also damaged vegetables fields. The houses In 2020, the Meghalaya government belonged to Drooling Rani, Jenes Dia, informed the State Assembly that 56 Rajesh Sangma and Kolphet Swangre. incidents of border dispute with Assam The incident resulted in tension in the had taken place since 2017.59 border area.61

In a major border clash, four persons The latest border tension resurfaced from Meghalaya were killed and at least between the two states on 26 July 2021 18 others were injured when Assam after Meghalaya Energy Corporation police opened fire after clashes broke attempted to erect poles in Pillingkata out in Langpih village bordering the area at Khanapara, which Assam of Assam and the West government claimed as part of its territory.62

2.3 Boundary dispute between cm-himanta-biswa-sarma-meghalaya-conrad- Assam and Arunachal Pradesh sangma-border-dispute-1832141-2021-07-24 57. All you need to know about Assam’s border disputes with NE states, The Tribune, 29 July Assam shares 804.10 km inter-state boundary with Arunachal Pradesh. The 2021, https://www.tribuneindia.com/news/nation/all- you-need-to-know-about-assams-border- 60. Assam Meghalaya Border Dispute, 2 disputes-with-ne-states-290060 November 2019, 58. Who’s the referee? Assam-Meghalaya border https://www.landconflictwatch.org/conflicts/ass dispute, The Shillong Times, 16 July 2021, am-meghalaya-border-dispute https://theshillongtimes.com/2021/07/16/whos 61. Assam Police ‘razes’ houses in WKH village, -the-referee/ The Shillong Times, 27 April 2021, 59. Assam-Mizoram border dispute has origin in https://theshillongtimes.com/2021/04/27/assa British era notifications, Hindustan Times, 27 m-police-razes-houses-in-wkh-village/ July 2021, 62. Situation in Meghalaya-Assam border under https://www.hindustantimes.com/india- control: , 28 July 2021, news/assammizoram-border-dispute-has- https://www.indiatoday.in/india/story/situation origin-in-british-era-notifications- -in-meghalaya-assam-border-under-control- 101627385890004.html conrad-sangma-1833463-2021-07-28 15

BORDER DISPUTES IN THE NORTHEAST: THE RAGING WAR WITHIN

dispute over boundary between Assam and Arunachal Pradesh started when In January 2014, 10 people were killed about 30,000 sq km of land was by miscreants inside the Behali reserve transferred from then North Eastern forest in Sonitpur district in Assam, Frontier Agency, the current Arunachal bordering Arunachal Pradesh. The Pradesh to Assam based on the Bordoloi Assam government claimed that Committee report in 1951.63 15,069.65 hectares of land around Behali, covering as many as 30 reserve The boundary disputes between Assam- forests along the border, were Arunachal Pradesh reached the encroached upon by Arunachal Supreme Court which in 2006 Pradesh.65 appointed a three-member boundary commission headed by retired High On 30 July 2021, the forest department Court judge Tarun Chatterjee along with and police officials of Assam destroyed two other members i.e. M Kamal Naidu, newly planted tea saplings of one a retired Indian Forest Service officer, Ngurang Soli during an eviction drive at and S K Goel, additional surveyor Lora village under Kimin Circle in general of India to resolve the disputes. Papum Pare district, Arunachal In 2014, the Supreme Court appointed Pradesh.66 commission in its report submitted to the Ministry of Home Affairs On 19 July 2021, armed personnel of the recommended that around 70-80 per Assam police reportedly destroyed a cent of the disputed land along the inter- paddy field in Longkhojan village under state boundary should be given back to Kanubari circle in Longding district, Arunachal Pradesh.64 Assam has Arunachal Pradesh. Assam officials rejected the report of the Supreme Court claimed that the area belonged to appointed commission. Assam.67

The boundary dispute between the two states has led to violent clashes and 65. ‘Arunachal snatching our land, govt has failed protests in the two states. to protect us’, The Indian Express, 31 January 2014, 63. Disputed land should be returned to https://indianexpress.com/article/india/india- Arunachal, says panel report, The Indian others/arunachal-snatching-our-land-govt- Express, 1 February 2014, has-failed-to-protect-us/ https://indianexpress.com/article/india/india- 66. Police stop destruction of property in others/disputed-land-should-be-returned-to- Arunachal by Assam police, The Arunachal arunachal-says-panel-report/ Times, 31 July 2021, 64. Disputed land should be returned to https://arunachaltimes.in/index.php/2021/07/3 Arunachal, says panel report, The Indian 1/police-stop-destruction-of-property-in- Express, 1 February 2014, arunachal-by-assam-police/ https://indianexpress.com/article/india/india- 67. Assam battalion destroys paddy field in others/disputed-land-should-be-returned-to- Kanubari, Nyoooz.com, arunachal-says-panel-report/ https://www.nyoooz.com/news/arunachal- 16

BORDER DISPUTES IN THE NORTHEAST: THE RAGING WAR WITHIN

2.4 Boundary dispute between However, Assam claims that Nagaland Assam and Nagaland has been encroaching in Sivasagar, Jorhat, Golaghat and Karbi Anglong The border dispute between Nagaland districts. The encroached area includes and Assam is the longest, which began over 80 per cent of reserved forests. On soon after Nagaland became a State in the other hand, Nagaland insists that 1963. The Nagaland State Act of 1962 more tracts under Assam “occupation” had defined the state’s borders as per belong to Nagaland.70 the notification in 1925 when the Naga Hills and Tuensang Area (NHTA) were Assam had filed a case in the Supreme integrated into a new administrative Court to resolve the border dispute and unit. However, Nagaland does not for a permanent injunction restraining accept the boundary delineation and has Nagaland from encroaching areas within demanded that the new state should also the constitutional boundary of Assam. include all Naga- dominated areas in The Centre had constituted two Assam.68 boundary commissions - the Sundaram Commission (1971) and the Shastri Assam and Nagaland share a 434 km- Commission (1985), to settle the Assam- long border. The interstate border area Nagaland border dispute. But these has been divided, for administrative Commissions failed to resolve the convenience, into six sectors – A, B, C, dispute as both the states did not accept D, E and F – spread over Sivasagar, their recommendations. 71 Jorhat, Golaghat and Karbi Anglong districts. All of these are presently in Over the years, a series of violent Assam. The Nagas say they should be incidents were reported over border granted sectors A, B, C and D having a dispute between the two States. The first total area of 12,883 square kilometers. border clashes between the two States The Nagas claim that this region took place in 1965, followed by major historically belongs to their tribes.69

nagaland-agree-to-withdraw-forces-from-two- disputed-locations-in-dessoi-valley pradesh/1597446/assam-battalion-destroys- 70. Explained: Assam vs Nagaland, a border paddy-field-in-kanubari/ dispute of five decades, The Indian Express, 22 68. All you need to know about Assam’s border August 2014, disputes with NE states, The Tribune, 29 July https://indianexpress.com/article/india/india- 2021, others/explained-assam-vs-nagaland-a- https://www.tribuneindia.com/news/nation/all- border-dispute-of-five-decades/ you-need-to-know-about-assams-border- 71. All you need to know about Assam’s border disputes-with-ne-states-290060 disputes with NE states, The Tribune, 29 July 69. Assam, Nagaland agree to withdraw forces 2021, from two disputed locations in Dessoi Valley, https://www.tribuneindia.com/news/nation/all- Scroll.in, 31 July 2021, you-need-to-know-about-assams-border- https://scroll.in/latest/1001655/assam- disputes-with-ne-states-290060 17

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clashes in 1968, 1979, 1985, 2007 and fled to relief camps after 200 houses 2014.72 were set ablaze by the miscreants.75

On 5 January 1979, 54 Assam villagers The latest incident took place in May were killed, 39 persons were injured and 2021 when , then a over 23,500 persons fled to relief camps Congress MLA in Assam, his security in a series of attacks by armed men from officers and others came under gunfire Nagaland in Chungajan, Uriamghat and in the Dessoi Valley area. Mr Kurmi had Mikirbheta of Golaghat district.73 visited the area to check alleged encroachment when they were fired at In June 1985, at least 41 persons from the Nagaland side. Mr Kurmi including 28 Assam police personnel managed to escape but three media were killed and 101 persons were injured persons were injured in the incident.76 at Merapani in Golaghat district on the Assam side. Further, 32,229 persons were displaced.74

In August 2014, eleven persons were killed and at least 20 were injured in firing and arson by alleged miscreants from Nagaland in Uriamghat area of Golaghat district. About 10,000 people

72. All you need to know about Assam’s border disputes with NE states, The Tribune, 29 July 2021, https://www.tribuneindia.com/news/nation/all- you-need-to-know-about-assams-border- disputes-with-ne-states-290060 75. Assam-Nagaland border violence toll mounts 73. Conflict Mapping and Peace Processes in to 11, Deccan Chronicle, 16 August 2014, Northeast India, North Eastern Social Research https://www.deccanchronicle.com/140816/natio Centre, 2008, n-crime/article/assam-nagaland-border- https://www.nesrc.org/Monographs/PeaceBook. violence-toll-mounts-11 pdf 76. Examining the Assam-Nagaland Border Crisis, 74. Conflict Mapping and Peace Processes in Namrata Goswami, Manohar Parrikar Institute for Northeast India, North Eastern Social Research Defence Studies and Analyses, 21 August 2014, Centre, 2008, https://idsa.in/idsacomments/ExaminingtheAss https://www.nesrc.org/Monographs/PeaceBook. amNagalandBorder_ngoswami_210814 and pdf and “Explained: Assam vs Nagaland, a border “Assam, Nagaland agree to withdraw forces from dispute of five decades”, The Indian Express, 22 two disputed locations in Dessoi Valley”, August 2014, Scroll.in, 31 July 2021, https://indianexpress.com/article/india/india- https://scroll.in/latest/1001655/assam- others/explained-assam-vs-nagaland-a- nagaland-agree-to-withdraw-forces-from-two- border-dispute-of-five-decades/ disputed-locations-in-dessoi-valley 18