Tribal activists on Tuesday prevented Nagaland Transport and Communication Minister Imtilemba Sangtam from hoisting the national flag at the Independence Day function in the border district of Tuensang, reports said in Kohima in Wednesday.

The activists were protesting against the state government's decision to set up a Deputy Inspector of School office at Tobu in bordering Mon district, where violent incidents had taken place between Chang and Konyak tribes in the last two decades over ownership of land.

Sangtam was prevented from unfurling the flag by activists of Chang Tribal Council and Chang Students Union at the district headquarters town

of Tuensang, reports said, adding that the protestors also disallowed people from taking part in the celebrations by blocking the entrance of the local ground where the main function of the day was to be held.

The minister and senior district officials tried in vain to pacify the protestors. After failing to hoist the flag, the administration shifted the function to the Circuit House premises where the minister unfurled the tricolour and delivered the Independence Day address.

Official sources said the state government had taken a serious view of the incident and asked the Tuensang deputy commissioner and superintendent of police to report to Kohima by Thursday.