Naga accord: N-E CMs up ante

Even as the Centre on Friday sought to allay fears of neighbouring States of Nagaland by assuring them that they would be consulted before the final agreement with NSCN(IM) was signed, the Chief Ministers of Assam, Arunachal Pradesh and Manipur upped the ante saying they were not consulted and will not cede an inch of their land. 

Addressing a Press conference at AICC headquarters, Assam Chief Minister Tarun Gogoi, Arunachal Pradesh CM Nabam Tuki and Manipur CM Ikrom Ibobi said the Prime Minister has grossly violated the principle of democracy and Parliamentary practice by not taking into confidence the North-Eastern Chief Ministers and not taking the approval of the Cabinet.

“He does not tell his own colleagues also. The basic principle is that he has to lay down all the statement before the Parliament during the Session. Modi has not only misled the northeastern people but the entire nation,” they said, however appreciating the initiative of the Peace Process by the Union Government.

“If a single inch of territorial area of Manipur is taken, we will fight tooth and nail,” Manipur Chief Minister Okram Ibobi Singh said. Nagaland’s neighbours Manipur, Assam and Arunachal Pradesh are opposed to integration of Naga-inhabited areas.

Tuki said that he welcomed the peace process, but this should be done “without compromising territorial integrity” while Gogoi wondered as to why the accord has been kept secret, “if it affects ...States, we will oppose tooth and nail”.Earlier in the day, Nagaland Chief Minister TR Zeliang called on Home Minister Rajnath Singh following the Congress raising a voice against the accord signed early this week in the presence of Prime Minister Narendra Modi. 

Congress president Sonia Gandhi has accused Narendra Modi Government for “insulting” the three northeastern States, whose CMs belong to her party, as they were not taken into confidence before signing the agreement with NSCN(IM).“Before the final agreement is signed with the NSCN(IM) Chief Ministers of Manipur, Assam and Arunachal Pradesh will be taken into confidence,” sources said quoting the Home Minister as having said to Zeliang during a 20-minute meeting here. 

Singh told Zeliang that the Central Government has made it clear to NSCN(IM) that their main demand of integration of Naga inhabitated areas would not be met but more powers would be given to local bodies like autonomous district council, the sources said.Sources said the Home Minister explained to the Chief Minister that a framework has been laid in the Monday’s agreement and the final pact will be signed only after detailed discussions in coming months.