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Monday, September 14, 2009

SC panel holds hearing on inter-State border disputes

GUWAHATI, Sept 14: The local commission that was formed by the Supreme Court to settle Asom-Nagaland and Asom-Arunachal Pradesh border disputes has asked both Nagaland and Arunachal Pradesh to submit documents and evidences in support of their claim over disputed land with Asom by November 22 when the commission will hold its next hearing on border disputes. The commission had its hearing in New Delhi yesterday in presence of representatives from all the three States.

The commission made it clear to Nagaland and Arunachal Pradesh that their claim over the disputed lands have already been rejected by Asom with evidence, and hence if they have any additional evidences in support of their claim over the disputed lands, they have to submit them by November 22. The commission has further informed Nagaland and Arunachal Pradesh that the Asom Government is ready to reply, with evidence, to the additional queries put forth by them on the affidavit that was filed by Asom.

The Asom Government claims that 66,241 hectares of its lands have been encroached by Nagaland which claims the lands in questions are of Nagas. In 1962 after Nagaland had attained statehood, the Centre demarcated the constitutional boundary, but the Nagas claim that they did not accept that boundary at that time. They have been putting pressure on the Centre to keep the historical boundary intact. There were many discussions between Asom Government and its Nagaland counterpart on the border disputes, but to no avail. In 1988, the Asom Government had to move the Supreme Court and filed a case (2/1988) against Nagaland Government. An additional case of Arunachal Pradesh was also clubbed with the case.
The local commission, headed by Justice (Retd) SN Bharghav, holds hearing from time to time. This apart, Chief Secretary-level, Commissioner-level and DIG-level talks on border disputes between Asom and Nagaland are held from time to time. THE SENTINEL

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