Guwahati, Assam – A fresh wave of controversy has erupted over a 1,300-acre disputed Seed Farm in Assam, following a clandestine visit by a delegation including a Nagaland legislator, police officials, and local organizations who declared ownership of the land. The move has ignited strong opposition from the Krishak Mukti Sangram Samiti (KMSS), which has vowed to fiercely resist any attempt to cede the territory to Nagaland.
The contentious incident unfolded on April 16th when Nagaland’s Bhandari Member of the Legislative Assembly, Achumbemo Kikon, accompanied by an officer from the 7th Naga Police, members of the Lotha Lower Range Public Organization and Students’ Union, and the Border Magistrate of Nagaland, arrived at the Seed Farm. Standing firmly on what is recognized as Assamese soil, the group unequivocally proclaimed that the entire expanse of the Seed Farm belonged to Nagaland, asserting that not a single inch would remain under Assam’s jurisdiction.
Adding fuel to the fire, the Nagaland team reportedly proceeded to erect fences around the entire perimeter of the Seed Farm. Furthermore, they allegedly instructed the Nagaland Department of Agriculture to either revoke the existing land allocation to farmers from Assam or to nullify all pertinent documentation related to Assam’s claim over the area.
The actions by the Nagaland representatives have drawn a sharp and immediate rebuke from the KMSS. Bidyut Saikia, the secretary of the organization, issued a strong statement on April 19th, asserting that the Seed Farm, undeniably situated within Assam’s geographical limits, would not be surrendered to Nagaland under any conditions.
This latest development comes on the heels of a public declaration made on April 10th by the Border Magistrate of Merapani in Golaghat District, who deemed all activities within the Seed Farm area as unlawful. The public had previously issued a seven-day ultimatum for the removal of unauthorized individuals and entities from the land. However, despite the expiry of this deadline, the Assam administration has yet to take any visible action, a perceived inaction that has amplified the concerns and frustrations of the KMSS.