Deputy Chief Minister, Y. Patton on the Second day of the Seventh Session of the 14th NLA on 4th September, 2025 made a statement under Rule-55 in the Assembly concerning the eviction of illegal immigrants from the Disputed Area Belt (DAB). He said that since the first information about an eviction-oriented survey in the Reserve Forest by Assam authorities which was received on 16th July 2025, The Nagaland State Government, under the supervision of Chief Minister, Dr. Neiphiu Rio has been closely monitoring the situation. Upon learning of these developments, the Border Magistrate, Uriamghat, Nagaland, raised the issue with the Border Magistrate, Surapathar, on 17th July 2025, and conducted an on-site verification. Following this, a joint coordination meeting was held on 22nd July 2025 with senior officials from both sides at Surapathar, Assam. Patton informed the house that on 24th July 2025, he toured the DAB area of Wokha and Niuland accompanied by MLAs, representatives from Lotha Hoho, Lotha Students’ Union, and Western Sumi Hoho local leaders to engage directly with the affected public
He stated that the State Cabinet on 30th July 2025 decided that all eviction drives would be conducted jointly by district administrations and police from both Nagaland and Assam in order to ensure no unilateral actions are taken and to prevent the influx of illegal immigrants.
Patton informed the house that after discussions between the Chief Ministers of Nagaland and Assam on 21st August, 2025, both parties agreed to halt any further plantations or pillar erections until matters are resolved at the Chief Ministerial level, following which on 26th August 2025, the Cabinet resolved that all illegal immigrants are to be evicted, and any required plantation drives will be carried out jointly by both states, with coordination among district administrations, police, forest departments, and involvement of local communities. He also stated that the Cabinet had resolved to communicate with the Union Home Minister and Ministry of Home Affairs regarding the continued presence of Assam Police Forces in the DAB, which is contrary to the 1972 Agreement. He said that Assam now operates 45 permanent police outposts in the DAB, while Nagaland has withdrawn all its five pre-1972 police outposts.
The Cabinet had also agreed to establish a Special Border Response Force (SBRF) including personnel from Border Affairs, Police, and Forest Department for prompt response to any border issues. He assured all the members the State Government will continue all necessary steps to protect the interests of its citizens in all border districts, ensuring no unilateral actions are taken and that all eviction or plantation drives are strictly joint undertakings. He appealed to all civil society organizations and the media to rely only on verified, official sources for all information related to recent developments in the DAB.