Joy blames Centre for border stand-off
Source: The Sangai Express
Imphal, July 04 2015 :
Former Minister and veteran politician Okram Joy has blamed the Government of India for acting as a silent spectator when many neighbouring States, parti-cularly Northeastern States have been confronting each other on account of boundary disputes.
Speaking to media persons at his Kakwa residence today, O Joy said that boundary disputes have been a source of enmity among neighbouring States as well as different communities.
Instead of resolving the boundary disputes, the Government of India seemed to be relishing the inter-State and/or inter-community confrontations.
Around 50/60 CRPF personnel posted in Assam were shot dead by Nagaland Police over boundary dispute between the two States at Mirapani area.
Many leaders of big political parties of India adopted double-standard every time they visited the North East region.
While they pledged to safeguard the territorial integrity of Manipur in Manipur, they spoke in favour of the demand for 'greater Naga-land' once they reached the Nagaland State, Joy asserted.
He also lambasted Naga-land Pradesh Congress Com- mittee president K Therie's assertion that the boundary dispute between Nagaland and Manipur should be resolved in accordance to customary laws based on the boundary line demarcated by British colonial rulers.
Therie's statement that the agreement reached between Chief Ministers of the two States should be adhered to implied that the joint statement of the two Chief Minis- ters should be applied to the boundary of Manipur.
Article 3 of the Constitution of India empowers the Government of India to demarcate inter-State boun- daries.
Inter-State boundaries may also be demarcated by a law enacted by the Parliament under the country's Constitution.
The Constitution is the highest law of the country.
Starting from a beggar to the Prime Minister, none can violate the Constitution,
Joy asserted.
Even though former Chief Ministers SC Jamir and Rishang Keishing reached an agreement on Nagaland-Manipur boundary, they have no authority to challenge the Constitution.
Special provisions given to different States under Article 371(A) are not similar.
According to special provisions given to Nagaland State by the Constitution, Naga customary laws and procedures are followed in the neighbouring State but the same does not apply in Manipur.
K Therie's statement on the boundary dispute smacks of sheer irresponsibility.
He was only adding fuel to the fire, Joy decried.