Change in border unlikely : Acharya
Source: The Sangai Express / Press Trust of India

Guwahati, August 04 2015: Nagaland Governor Padmanabha Balakrishna Acharya on Tuesday allayed fears of neighbouring States and said boundary of Nagaland is unlikely to be redrawn after the signing of peace accord between the Centre and NSCN(IM) .

"As per my understanding and what I was told by the Prime Minister, there will be no geographical change and territorial integrity will be respected.

The details of the agreement are awaited," Acharya said at a press conference here while welcoming the agreement.

The agreement would benefit the entire Nation, keep the integrity of any State intact and usher in development and peace in Nagaland, he said.

He, however, said Prime Minister Narendra Modi did not speak about the details of the agreement during their telephonic talk last night.

When asked if the Centre would now rethink on withdrawal of the Armed Forces (Special Powers) Act (AFSPA) from Nagaland, Acharya said "As the security scenario improves, there will be reconsideration of force deployment and other issues.

Everything depends on how the security scenario improves in the coming days" .

He mentioned that still five more insurgent groups were active in the state after NSCN(IM) signed the accord last evening.

"I hope the day has started for a permanent peace.

We are going to march ahead from here for development.

I hope other groups will also understand the gravity of the situation and come for a peaceful understanding," Acharya said.

On the long years taken to reach an agreement, he said there was "trust deficiency" from both sides - NSCN(IM) and the Centre.

"Whenever an interlocutor was appointed, people felt it was for delaying the process.

But, this time people welcomed the appointment of RN Ravi.

Trust deficiency has changed to trustworthy," the Governor said.

"Modiji's dynamic leadership and vision for North East as well as his political will and trust to address the Naga problem have resulted in this peace accord.

Yesterday's signing occasion was the happiest event of my life," he said.

Asked about NSCN(K), he said the group violated the ceasefire agreement and "the Government will not talk to any group without a ceasefire" .

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