Dimapur, May 5 (EMN): United Naga Tribes Association on Border Areas (UNTABA) has urged the chief minister to settle the inter-state boundary between Assam and Nagaland at the time of political settlement as it pointed out that the Naga people’s movement for bringing back the transferred Naga lands was the beginning of the Naga political movement.
UNTABA officials led by its chairman Hukavi T Yeputhomi made this proposal through a memorandum during an interaction with the chief minister on May 4 at the latter’s office chamber.
Among other demands, UNTABA urged the chief minister to immediately review the Interim Agreements of 1972, 1979 and other MoUs between the Government of Nagaland, Assam and GoI since such stop-gap arrangements were made under duress against the very history of the Naga people and has become a stumbling block for development, peace and tranquillity in the border areas. It said those interim arrangements will even hamper the current political negotiation at Delhi.
A memorandum jointly issued by UNTABA chairman Hukavi T Yeputhomi, general secretary Imsumongba Pongen, joint secretary Ruchuyhun Keppen, executive members Iteichu Zeliang, Silas Khongsai, and Apeto Assumi GB and advisory board member TL Angami also demanded to remove or revoke the Disputed Area Belt (DAB) in the Naga areas since it is against the basic principle of dignity of citizen in their own land. It said the historical and traditional Naga lands of the entire border belt between Nagaland and Assam from Peren to Mon district had no dispute with Assam whatsoever or with any tribes and nationalities. It further stated that no authority can bifurcate Naga areas into sectors as DAB against the very wishes of the people.
UNTABA also urged the State government to deploy NAP in the border areas immediately and to open or establish polling stations in all the villages in the border areas at the earliest possible time.
Meanwhile, the team acknowledged the chief minister for according topmost priority on the inter-state boundary issue between Nagaland and Assam.
UNTABA stated that failing to address these pertinent issues by the government of the day will be tantamount to betrayal of the very history of Naga people for posterity.
