Merapani residents protest against Nagaland's palm oil plantation drive
Locals and KMSS warned of sustained agitation if saplings are not removed
KMSS and farmers during the protest in Merapani
Golaghat, Sept 17: Fresh tensions erupted in Merapani along the Assam Nagaland border after residents of Bhelouguri in Golaghat district strongly opposed the plantation of palm oil saplings by Nagaland authorities on land claimed by Assam.
According to locals, Nagaland’s Agriculture Department transported more than a thousand saplings to a seed farm situated on disputed territory. The development revived border tensions that first flared in March, when Assamese farmers resisted similar attempts.
On Sunday, over a hundred protestors staged demnstrations in front of the CRPF camp at the seed farm, demanding the immediate removal of the saplings and questioning how such activity was permitted despite the presence of neutral forces.
Nagaland’s Agriculture Department, however, has maintained that the plantation drive would begin this month.
“As per the government instructions, palm oil saplings will be planted adjacent to the Seed Farm office. Earlier, there was a plan to use land cultivated by Assamese farmers but that has been dropped to protect local livelihoods. Concerns about groundwater depletion and soil fertility are misconceptions without scientific basis."
Despite appeals for calm, protests intensified with the Krishak Mukti Sangram Samiti (KMSS) joining the agitation.
“The seed farm in Golaghat belongs to Assam. Our farmers have cultivated this land for generations. The Nagaland government cannot unilaterally impose decisions in disputed territory. This is an injustice,” Central secretary Bidyut Saikia said.
He further recalled earlier tensions in the border area, including shootings, forced evictions, and notices demanding Inner Line Permits for Assamese residents and cattle entering Nagaland.
“Today, one truck of saplings has arrived, yesterday another. We asked the CRPF how this could be allowed, but they said nothing. We will continue our protest even at the cost of our lives. Palm oil trees draw up to 300 litres of water each day—if cultivation is allowed here, Assam will become a desert. We cannot let that happen.”
The protesters have issued an ultimatum, demanding that the saplings be removed immediately. Failure to do so, they warned, would trigger a sustained agitation from tomorrow.