Guwahati: Farmers under the banner of the Merapani Seed Farm Bhumi Adhikar Dabi Samiti have filed a complaint at the Merapani Police Station against the Nagaland Agriculture Department following a fresh confrontation along the Assam-Nagaland border in Golaghat.
The latest tension erupted on Monday at the Seed Farm in Bheleuguri, when a large contingent of Nagaland Police, accompanied by officials of the Nagaland administration and representatives of the Merapani Village Council (Nagaland), arrived at the site and appeared intent on resuming construction of permanent RCC structures on the disputed land. Villagers quickly assembled to oppose the move, forcing the Nagaland team to retreat.
Anil Bora, Secretary of the Samiti, alleged that previous attempts to build RCC structures had been halted by local residents, who had sent mason workers back. On noticing the officials' return, the villagers rushed to the site, confronting the Nagaland authorities and a CRPF camp commandant, who Bora claimed treated them with disrespect and questioned whether their assembly had political motives. Bora insisted that the villagers were determined to prevent encroachment, emphasizing that the contested land belongs to Assam.
Prasanta Chutiya, Joint Secretary of the Samiti, expressed concern that the proposed structure in Sector D of the Seed Farm at Joypur village could eventually be converted into a Nagaland Police camp. He alleged that Nyamo Odyuo, Chairman of the Merapani Village Council, accompanied by 20-30 police personnel and members of the Naga community, had visited the site to discuss construction plans, but the villagers intervened to remove them and assert Assam's claim over the land.
The disputed area reportedly spans nearly 1,200 acres in Sector D. Residents pointed out that previous attempts by the Nagaland Agriculture Department to plant oil palm saplings on the land had also been opposed, with saplings later removed after protests to prevent displacement of Assamese farmers. Renewed preparations for permanent construction from Saturday triggered the latest resistance.
The Merapani sector has seen repeated flare-ups in recent months, including tension in Uriamghat on February 15 following alleged attacks on CRPF personnel, and panic on December 15, 2025, after reports of armed attacks on Assamese villagers. These recurring incidents underscore the fragile situation along the long-disputed Assam-Nagaland border belt, highlighting the sensitivity and volatility of the area.