Source: The Sangai Express
Kohima, July 14 (PTI):
A delegation of Nagaland Ministers and MLAs have called on Union Home Minister LK Advani and AICC president Sonia Gandhi to clarify the State Government�s stand on the extension of NSCN (IM) ceasefire beyond Nagaland.
The State Government supported the truce extension without territorial limits as it felt it was a beginning towards ending the five-decade old Naga political problem, State Industries Minister I Imkong, a member of the 12-member delegation, said at Dimapur airport yesterday.
Besides Advani, the delegates also met Union Minister of State for Home ID Swami in their recent visit to Delhi and submitted memorandum to them on the State Government�s stand.
He said Nagaland Pradesh Congress Committee (NPCC) and its Government stood by the 16-point agreement, by which the State was formed in 1963, which included a proposal that the contiguous Naga areas would be integrated with Nagaland if the people so desire.
The delegation also apprised Congress president Sonia Gandhi of the issue and after fruitful discussions with her, there appears to be no difference of opinion between NPCC and AICC, Imkong claimed.
NPCC�s visit to Delhi came after the Opposition asked to clarify its locus standi while the party�s central leadership opposed territorial expansion of the ceasefire.
He said the AICC had opposed it because the NDA Government had not consulted Assam, Manipur and Arunachal Pradesh before announcing their decision.
On the Centre�s move to review the truce extension, Imkong said let the Government of India decide first and then we will react.
�We do not know to what extent they will review.� Our Staff reporter adds that All Zeliangrong Naga Mepui Association has submitted a representation to the Prime Minister not to revoke the ceasefire extension from Manipur and other North east States.
The representation said that if the extension is revoked then the NSCN (IM) may abort the peace process and all efforts to find an amicable solution would go waste.