Kohima: Assam and Nagaland joint forces demolished 59 houses at the Mekirang village border on October 17. The operation took place near Merapani. Wokha Deputy Commissioner K Mhathung Tsanglao and SP T Relo Aye oversaw the work alongside the border magistrate and civil society leaders.
The area remains a flashpoint for long-standing territorial disputes. Mekirang Village Council Chairman Sorenthung Lotha asked both states to seek an amicable path forward. Residents suffer from a lack of road access. Villages like Lio Longchum and Longayim rely on Assam for basic transport.
The Lotha Lower Range Public Organisation tried to raise money to build a motorable road. The funds remain insufficient. Lotha said, "The villages could no longer afford to wait indefinitely for government intervention."
Zathungo Yanthan, secretary of the LLRPO, warned that clearing the land must not forfeit Naga rights. He wants a chip-sealed road along the Marachu-Mekirang route to ensure survival. Border reliance on Assam routes makes residents vulnerable during flare-ups. A lasting solution remains the only way to protect these remote communities.
Updated at 18th October 2026 at 10:15am
The joint state operation moved forward despite the 59 families previously securing a stay order against the eviction. The final notice compelled these residents to vacate their homes before the joint forces tore them down.
Additional officials observed the operation, including Bhandari Additional Deputy Commissioner Longasen Lotha and Border Magistrate Arhomo Yanthan. Mekirang Village Council Chairman Sorenthung Lotha is now calling on local residents and supporters to donate funds to the road project, branding the construction a vital lifeline for the region.
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