Assam CM Tarun Gogoi seeks clarification from PM Narendra Modi on Naga accord
Agencies
GUWAHATI, AUGUST 17
Assam chief minister Tarun Gogoi has asked Prime Minister Narendra Modi to clarify whether the integration of Naga inhabited areas is part of the framework agreement recently inked by the Centre and NSCN-IM.
Gogoi’s poser came after the general secretary of NSCN-IM Thuingaleng Muivah ruled out a solution to the longstanding issue without integration of Naga inhabited areas of Northeast India and Myanmar. The chief minister questioned Modi’s silence on the accord in his Independence Day speech, saying people were expecting a word from the prime minister in view of Muivah’s claim that the outfit has not given up the issue of integration of Naga inhabited areas.
Muivah had on August 13 said during the Independence Day celebration of NSCN-IM that the outfit had not given up its demand.
Gogoi said that Muivah’s statement is confusing. “Why is the government of India maintaining so much of secrecy,” the chief minister asked. “As it is a historic agreement signed after several decades of struggle, why did Prime Minister Narendra Modi not mention it in his Independence Day speech? Why has Modi maintained silence on the accord?”
The chief minister also reiterated that the Northeastern states were not consulted on the accord. “The Centre-appointed interlocutor RN Ravi said that he met Manipur chief minister on several occasions. However, he never met me. We were not given any hint even,” said Gogoi.
Gogoi asserted that Assam will not concede any territory. “We opposed when ceasefire with NSCN-IM was extended to Assam by (then) Prime Minister AB Vajpayee as this would have meant indirectly recognising the outfit’s claim over Assam areas. However, we were informed then by the Centre. Asom Gana Parishad (AGP) government in Assam allowed extension of ceasefire to Assam areas. Coming to power in 2001 we opposed the same.”
Gogoi further said, “The Centre questioned me as earlier Assam had accepted the extension of ceasefire and is now opposing it. I said that people have elected me and I oppose the extension of ceasefire.”
Manipur parties take 3 resolutions on Naga “Framework Agreement”
NNN
IMPHAL, AUGUST 17
The representatives of ‘all the political parties’ in Manipur have discussed on the “Frame-work Agreement” between Government of India and NSCN-IM and unanimously passed three resolutions.
One of the resolutions said that ‘any agreement or accord with NSCN-IM by Government of India shall not affect the territorial integrity in letter and spirit and the interests of the State of Manipur at any cost.’
The second resolution says, “It is decided to urge the State government to pass a resolution on recently signed “Frame-work Agreement” between Government of India and NSCN-IM in the ensuing Manipur Legislative Assembly to protect the territorial integrity of Manipur and its interest in letter and spirit.”
Thirdly, the political party leaders resolved that “to send an all political party delegation led by Chief Minister, Manipur to meet Hon’ble Prime Minister of India and Hon’ble Union Home Minister and appraise the implications and present scenario with respect to the recently signed “Frame-work Agreement” with NSCN-IM by Government of India.”
The signatories of the resolutions are INC, BJP, MPP, JD(S), AAP, CPI, CPI(M), AIFB, RSP, LJD, JD(U), NCP and MDPF.
