Gogoi bats for Assam
Source: The Sangai Express / Agencies
GHy/Aizawl, August 04 2015:
As neighbouring States of Nagaland await clarity on the Naga peace accord, Assam Chief Minister Tarun Gogoi on Tuesday said any move that affects the interests of his State will be opposed "tooth and nail" .
Acknowledging that the accord signed yesterday between the Centre and key Naga outfit NSCN(IM) that is aimed at ending insurgency will help in restoring peace in Nagaland, Gogoi, however, expressed surprise why the clauses of the agreement have been "kept in the dark" .
The statement by the leader of the Congress-ruled State came even as former Mizoram Chief Minister Zoramthanga, who brokered the peace deal between the Centre and the NSCN(I-M), expressed happiness over the signing of the Naga accord described as "historic" by Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
Zoramthanga told PTI in Aizawl that he was yet to learn the terms of the accord, but was happy that peace would prevail in the trouble-torn Nagaland.
"The agreement has been reached after prolonged struggle by the Naga group and it will help in restoring peace and prosperity in Nagaland, but it is astonishing why the clauses of the agreement are kept in the dark," Gogoi said in a statement in Guwahati.
"The Ministry of Home Affairs has given the impression that it is in the dark about the details of the agreement and to keep such an important document under wraps raises doubt about its veracity.
It also raises doubt that the peace deal might affect the interests of Assam, Manipur and Arunachal Pradesh," he said.
Manipur and Arunachal Pradesh is also ruled by the Congress.
"We appreciate peace in Nagaland and welcome settlement of Naga issues, but will oppose tooth and nail any move that affects the interests of Assam," he said.
Official sources in Delhi said yesterday that details and execution plan within the Naga framework agreement will be released shortly.
It was not immediately clear whether the agreement meets the main demand of NSCN(IM) for integration of all Naga-inhabited areas in the North East across Manipur, Arunachal Pradesh and Assam.
Gogoi pointed out that he was strongly opposed to the previous NDA Government's move to extend ceasefire in the Naga-inhabited areas beyond Nagaland.