| caption: |
refugees from the Punjab allotted to Naga land at Manipur Road |
| text: |
Today, Naga groups in Mokokchung have all been discussing the Assam Premier's latest move. Under pressure from the Indian Union, Assam has agreed to harbour 10,000 refugees from the Punjab. The Premier, recalling the former network of military camps has allotted them to Manipur Road. The fact that the camps were long since demolished and only their derelict shells remain, does not seem to have crossed his mind. But whether standing or broken, the camps are on Naga land and under the Governor's 'agreement' no such land can be used by non-Nagas without the permission of the N.N.C. 'What is the Premier at now?' the Nagas are asking and the Secretary of the N.N.C. has just written to him saying, 'We do not know whether you are importing them on a temporary basis or a permanent. Whatever the case may be, such a move from outside will be regarded by the Nagas as an encroachment, and a direct rejection of the agreement.' He adds that the Nagas will vigorously resist the refugees unless the Premier stops them from coming. |
| text: |
The Premier is probably unaware that Manipur Road is in the Naga Hills. The allocation of the camps was almost certainly accidental. The order will very probably be countermanded. But the mischief has been done. Nagas who recall that at the subcommittee's meeting the Premier had still not (96) accepted the agreement are now openly saying, 'It is all a trick. The agreement has never been accepted by him. It never will be.' |
