New Delhi:
The violence in Golaghat district of Assam bordering Nagaland began as a land dispute between two men, says a central government note, also alleging that the dispute was fanned by local politicians, social activists and insurgent group, the NSCN (Khole Kitovi).
The secret note, accessed by NDTV, says that an Assamese adivasi or tribal named Salamon Sama had entered into agreement to cultivate a plot of land in the disputed area belt (DAB) along the border of the two states. He was to share the produce with a Naga man, Ekonthubg Lotha who allegedly owned the land.
The agreement, however, turned sour when Lotha attempted to construct a hut on the land. Sama complained in April this year to the local authorities, who decided that Lotha would not build his hut and Sama would not till the land. But Sama, the note said, disregarded the order and continued to cultivate the land.
After several rounds of talks between district authorities on both sides of the border, it was decided that Sama would be allowed to cultivate the land and Lotha would be allowed temporary construction to store the produce.
But as matters seemed to settle, two Adivasi boys from the area went missing. Amid renewed tension earlier this month, Lotha and some other Nagas were chased away from Golaghat by members of the Adivasi National Liberation Army - an insurgent group.
The Nagas of the area approached the militant group NSCN (Khole Kitovi) group for protection. The note alleges that the NSCN (Khole Kitovi) abducted three Advasis from the area as retribution for the attack on Lotha.
Matters got worse when Naga insurgents shot dead one Advasi and injured two others on August 12. The next day, the All Advasi Students Association of Assam (AASAA) blocked the crucial National Highway 39 connecting Nagaland to Assam and shut down Golaghat. Both sides attacked the other, burning down homes in villages.
Nine people were killed in ethnic clashes between Adivasi groups and Naga groups from August 12 to August 15. Unofficial figures put the death toll at 18.
Adivasis in the area started fleeing. At this time, the government note says, Akhil Gogoi, a former aide of Gandhian activist Anna Hazare, who has been campaigning for Adivasi rights, joined in on behalf of the local Adivasi with his Krishak Mukti Sangram Samiti.
On Independence Day, the Assamese students' group refused to allow a Nagaland government official to pass through NH-39, adding to tension.
The note alleges that when Assam Chief Minister Tarun Gagoi visited the area on Tuesday, local Congress leaders opposed to him joined Adivasi groups and "organised huge protest," further adding to rift between the two communities.