Accord won’t affect other N-E states: Guv

Bijay Sankar Bora

Tribune News Service

Guwahati, August 4

Nagaland Governor PB Acharya today termed the peace accord with rebel group National Socialist Council of Nagaland-Isak Muivah (NSCN-IM) a “historic landmark” saying territorial integrity of no state would be disturbed and all clauses of the pact were within the ambit of the Indian Constitution.

The Governor told mediapersons at Raj Bhawan that he was not aware of the details of the peace agreement, but there would be no geographical change of the map of Nagaland.

“The geographical integrity of no state will be disturbed, the agreement is within the Constitution and will bring a sea change in the development of the North-East by ensuring peace,” said Acharya. Assam Chief Minister Tarun Gogoi also welcomed the peace agreement saying it would help restore peace and prosperity in Nagaland. But he expressed surprise over the secrecy maintained by the Centre about the clauses of the accord. Acharya, who is also in charge of Assam, said: “The peace agreement is a historic landmark document. It will pave the way for development of Nagaland as well as the North-East.”

Prime Minister Narendra Modi had spoken to him over the telephone on Monday evening, after the accord was signed in New Delhi, and sought his cooperation in implementing the clauses, he said. He pointed out that the Nagas were the first to raise the flag of rebellion in Independent India. “Nagaland is the captain of all insurgent groups in the North-East. And with the biggest outfit in the state (NSCN-IM) signing the peace pact, we can hope that other groups will also follow suit.” On Naga rebel group National Socialist Council of Nagaland- Kaplang (NSCN-K) abrogating its ceasefire agreement, Acharya said the government was ready for talks if the group gave up violence. Gogoi, while welcoming the peace deal, said: “Though the agreement has been reached after prolonged struggle by the Naga group, it is astonishing the clauses of the agreement have been kept in the dark. Even the Ministry of Home Affairs has given the impression that it is in the dark about the details of the agreement. “To keep such an important document under wraps raises doubts about its veracity. It also raises doubt that the peace deal might affect the interests of Assam, Manipur and Arunachal Pradesh.”

Gogoi recounted his opposition to the previous NDA government’s move to extend ceasefire with the Naga rebels to all Naga-inhabited areas beyond the geographical boundary of Nagaland, saying: “We appreciate peace in Nagaland and welcome settlement of Naga issues. But we will oppose tooth and nail any move that affects the interests of Assam.”  (with PTI inputs)