Source: Oken Jeet Sandham / NEPS - http://www.nepsindia.com
Kohima, March 14:
Nagaland Home Minister Dr Lotha said many Assamese started realizing that they were going to reduce minority in their own land, although they have been encouraging the illegal migrants in the Assam-Nagaland disputed areas to grab land in the areas.
Talking to NEPS here, the Home Minister said, �I told some of the Assamese people that we had not quarreled with you; rather we have good relationship with you since time immemorial.� And therefore, Dr Lotha said they could settle border issues whatsoever with them at any time but the �real hatred is the illegal migrants who have been encouraged by them in the disputed border areas, unaware of implications they (Assamese people) are going to face in future.� Asked why Assam pushed these illegal migrants towards Nagaland especially in the disputed areas, Dr Lotha said it was to grab areas of Nagaland.
�That was how population of illegal migrants including Adivasis swelled up like anything in Merapani and Golapani areas in Nagaland side,� he stated.
Even an Adivasi contested election some time back in Assam side, though he was defeated.
�The point is an Adivasi becoming candidate in Assam was an indication that they had sufficient numbers there and that would ultimately become a threat to the survival of not only the Assamese people but also us,� the Home Minister explained.