Assam and Nagaland MLAs Propose Joint Committee for Border Disputes

Biswajit Phukan, the Member of Legislative Assembly for Sarupathar in Assam, and Achumbemo Kikon, his counterpart from Bhandari in Nagaland, have proposed the establishment of a Joint Peace and Coordination Committee. According to statements made by Phukan, the committee is intended to include civil society representatives and Border Magistrates from both states to address local grievances. This initiative emerged from a cultural exchange event held in late September, where the two legislators discussed mechanisms to de-escalate tensions in the Golaghat and Wokha border belt.

The proposal comes against the backdrop of a long-standing territorial dispute that has frequently resulted in friction between the two neighboring states. While the final demarcation of the boundary remains pending before the Supreme Court of India, local communities are seeking stability in the interim. Phukan emphasized that the committee’s primary role would be to resolve everyday issues amicably, allowing residents to avoid the constant uncertainty that currently characterizes life in the border villages.

Focus on Local Resolution

Phukan stated that the committee will attempt to mediate any disputes that arise in the immediate vicinity of the border. He noted that while the state governments cannot unilaterally change the boundary line, they can work together to manage the human element of the conflict. The MLA argued that wealthier residents can afford to relocate to areas with better amenities, but poorer families are trapped in a state of limbo. By creating a structured channel for dialogue, the legislators hope to foster a new history of cooperation rather than continued confrontation.

Economic Development and Environmental Measures

In addition to political coordination, the initiative includes concrete plans for economic development and environmental conservation in the Disputed Area Belt. According to reports from the GN geopolitics/border desk, the Assam government plans to supply 500,000 tissue-cultured bamboo saplings to the region. These saplings are intended to serve as feedstock for the Numaligarh Refinery’s bamboo bio-refinery, providing a potential source of income for local residents. Phukan clarified that these plantation drives are strictly environmental measures, citing recent floods in neighboring districts, and explicitly denied any intention of using them as a tool for territorial expansion.

Further infrastructure projects are also under consideration to improve connectivity and livelihoods. Plans include the construction of an express road between Chungajan and Dimapur, which is expected to reduce travel time to the airport significantly. The legislators also announced plans for a border summit involving the Chief Ministers of both states, aimed at furthering people-to-people contact and sustaining regular interaction. This multifaceted approach seeks to address the economic needs of the border belt while maintaining a diplomatic distance from the sensitive issue of sovereign boundaries.

Awaiting Judicial Determination

Despite these local efforts, the ultimate resolution of the border dispute rests with the judiciary. Phukan acknowledged that the boundary issue is on the table of the Supreme Court and that the court will make the final decision. He urged residents to refrain from engaging in conflicts that could undermine the ongoing legal proceedings. The forward-looking strategy relies on the assumption that by managing local issues through the proposed committee, the region can maintain stability and prosperity regardless of the eventual judicial outcome.