Gogoi stands opposed to territorial integration demand of NSCN (IM)
Assam, Manipur hum similar tune
Source: The Sangai Express / Courtesy : TNN

Guwahati, October 21 2012: Anticipating a solution for the NSCN (IM) soon, chief minister Tarun Gogoi on Saturday said the state would continue to oppose the Naga outfit's primary demand for territorial integration of Naga inhabited areas in Assam.

Gogoi, however, is sympathetic to his Nagaland counterpart Nephiu Rio's expectation of Centre's nod to at least the 'emotional integrity' of the Naga people living outside Nagaland in its neighbouring states.

The NSCN (IM) wants to carve out a greater Nagaland by including all Naga inhabited areas of Manipur, Assam and Arunachal Pradesh to the present state of Nagaland.

"I am aware of the Naga peace talks and that a solution is nearing soon.

This is a positive development but we cannot give our land.

We have been saying this before and we will continue to resist this in future," Gogoi said.

In reaction to Rio's hopes of emotional integration, Gogoi said, "I am not opposed to emotional integration of the people.

There is no harm and in fact this is quite natural.

People of Assam also live in other parts of country and the world and there is always the emotional bonding" .

The Naga peace talks has recently activated both Assam and Manipur following reports of a solution being finalized very soon.

Manipur on Friday formed a cabinet sub-committee headed by chief minister Okram Ibobi Singh to monitor the final stages of the Naga peace talks.

Singh is now camping in New Delhi and will meet Union home minister Sushil Kumar Shinde, to have an insight into what is happening in the Naga issue.

Amidst reports of Gogoi and Singh making a joint effort to block any move for the territorial integration, Gogoi said he is not in touch with his Manipur counterpart.

"I do not know about any steps being taken by Manipur," he said.

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