The state government’s planning and co-ordination department has, however, admitted the mistake.
The geographic information system (GIS) map issued by the department’s GIS cell, has shown several villages under Dimapur and Mokokchung districts in Assam.
The Assam government has been accusing Nagaland of encroaching into their land, but Kohima rebutted such allegations, accusing Dispur of pushing illegal migrants along the disputed areas to grab the Nagas’ land.
The GIS map prepared by the cell does not show Niuland town and Khuhuboto town — the two subdivisions of Dimapur district.
Dispur has recently accused Nagaland of setting up subdivision inside Assam territory.
Assam has claimed Khuhuboto town under its jurisdiction. Assam had claimed Niuland town in the past.
Some of the villages under Dimapur district outside the GIS Map of Nagaland are Aoyim, Hoito, Nihoto, Ghokito, Pukhato, Lotovi, Ahozhe, Sunito, Heviqhe, Vikuho, Hukato, Ahozhe, Hetoi, Henito, Ghonivi, Kiyezu, Vishiyi, Hozheto, Yampha, Nizheto, Husto, Akito, Aloto, Hovuxu, Khuhoi, Hukhai, Tokishe, Nitozu, Luhevi, Izhevi, Mughavi, Luhezhe and Tohokhu.
In Mokokchung district, Tsutapela, Aokum, Aosenden, Chungtiayimsen and Watiyim villages are outside the GIS map of Nagaland.
There has been till now no report of any complaint from these villages to the state government or the department concerned.
But the department has also mentioned that the map was “not legal”.
All the villages mentioned are under the administration of the government of Nagaland though these are not included in the present map of Nagaland.
The border issue between the two states is still pending in the Supreme Court though Nagaland has insisted that the problem be solved outside the court as it is political in nature.
The nine-point agreement between the Naga outfit, Naga National Council (NNC) and the Centre in June 1947 clearly mentioned about bringing back all the forests transferred to the districts of Sivasagar and Nagaon of Assam to the Naga hill districts.
The Nagaland government has expressed serious concern over the loss of the original map of Assam-Nagaland.
“We have insisted that the Union home ministry as well as Survey of India should retrieve those documents and maps from the archives in Calcutta, London or elsewhere and make available to the commission,” chief minister Niephiu Rio said.
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