Source: The Imphal Free Press
Kohima, September 24 (PTI):
Nagaland chief minister S C Jamir today told the state Assembly that if the members agreed a government resolution could be moved in the House, urging the Centre to implement all the remaining clauses of the 16-Point Agreement of 1960, which culminated in the formation of the state of Nagaland in 1963.Intervening during question hour when the senior-most member TA Ngulie sought a clarification from the home minister Neiphiu Rio on implementation of the historic pact, the chief minister pointed out that clause 2 and clause 11 of the agreement were unilaterally violated by the Centre in 1972 and 1989 respectively.
Jamir said the Centre had violated clause 2 by shifting Nagaland affairs from the external affairs ministry to the home ministry, and abrogated clause 11 by changing the funding system in 1989 after the 9th Finance Commission recommendations.
He maintained that it was obligatory on the part of the Centre to implement the 'solemn document' signed at the highest political level in letter and spirit.
The House could move a government resolution to exert pressure on New Delhi to implement all the clauses of the 16-Point Agreement, he said.
On clause 13, which mentioned about integration of contiguous Naga inhabited areas, Jamir pointed out that the Nagaland Assembly had already passed resolutions in 1964, 1970 and 1994 in support of the provision of the agreement between the Centre and Naga people clinched in 1960.The chief minister, however, clarified that it was upto the Nagas of Manipur, Assam and Arunachal Pradesh to decide whether they wished to integrate with Nagaland.