As the Assam government prepares for its next eviction drive in an area neighbouring Nagaland, the Nagaland government has ordered “heightened vigilance” against the movement of displaced people into the state.
After five eviction exercises in June and July, the Assam government is preparing to conduct another one in Uriamghat in Eastern Assam’s Golaghat district, where Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma has alleged thousands of bighas of forest land have been encroached for betel nut cultivation by individuals from Central Assam. The area borders Nagaland’s Wokha district.
In an order dated July 21, the Nagaland government cited “apprehensions” that people displaced by evictions in Assam will try to enter Nagaland, referring to them as “illegal immigrants.”
“In view of the eviction drive against the illegal immigrants undertaken by the Government of Assam, there is apprehension/risk that some displaced individuals may attempt to cross into our state. In this regard, all Deputy Commissioners are hereby directed to heightened vigilance and take proactive measures to prevent any potential influx of illegal immigrants within your respective jurisdiction,” states the order.
The order goes on to state that this is necessary for “maintaining law and order” and for “safeguarding the demographic integrity of our state.”
Nagaland Joint Commissioner Nokchasashi, against whose signature the order had been issued, told The Indian Express that the order was prompted by preparations for evictions along the inter-state border.
“So far, there is no record of anyone entering, but officials concerned have been alerted to apprehend anyone trying to,” he said.
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Nagaland has an Inner Line Permit (ILP) regime, under which any Indian citizen who does not belong to the state is required to procure an official travel document to visit. An Indian citizen who does not belong to the states requiring an ILP cannot stay beyond a specified time.
