Assam, Nagaland Chief Ministers strike deal
Source: The Sangai Express / Agencies

Guwahati, August 22 2014 : Assam Chief Minister Tarun Gogoi and his counterpart in Nagaland, Mr T.R.Zeliang, agreed here on Thursday to work out a joint mechanism to handle the situation arising from the issue of territory disputed between Assam and Nagaland to avoid the recurrence of any clashes.

Minister of State for Home Affairs Kiren Rijiju, who said the discussion took place in a very cordial atmosphere, added, "I would like to make an appeal to the people not to resort to economic blockades against each others.

We have to co-exist" .

Saying that they had also requested Assam and Nagaland to ensure undisturbed movement in the Northeast states, Mr Rijiju said, "As I belong to this region, I have special concern for the North-eastern States.

Our Government will not leave any stone unturned in helping the States restore peace and harmony in the trouble-torn areas of the region" .

Nagaland and Assam Chief Ministers at the meeting

Mr Rijiju, who also attended the meeting of the Northeast Council, said the Union Home Ministry has agreed to provide additional companies of paramilitary forces to reinforce security in the disputed territory along the border between the states.

He said both State Governments have agreed to rehabilitate the people affected on both sides.

On allegations against the CRPF, Mr Rijiju said, "The difference in perception about the role of the CRPF, acting as a neutral force, was due to a lack of confidence among the peoples of the two states" .

A day after accusing New Delhi of not taking the Assam-Nagaland conflict seriously, Assam Chief Minister Tarun Gogoi said here on Thursday that the Centre had taken up the issue very seriously.

"I am happy that MoS Home Kiren Rijiju was also present at the meeting between the Chief ministers of Assam and Nagaland." Mr Gogoi, who lauded New Delhi for its pro-active approach to resolving the conflict, said, "We the chief ministers of two states have agreed to meet frequently and facilitate officer-level meetings periodically to defuse the tension between the two states" .

Mr Gogoi said both states have also agreed to act jointly to build confidence among the people living in disputed areas.

Nagaland CM T.R.Zeliang also expressed satisfaction over the meeting and said the meeting had been fruitful.

The two CMs announced that they were sincere about their approach to resolve this conflict.

The meeting was also attended by joint secretary in the home ministry Shambhu Singh, who told this newspaper that their priority has been to restore peace and harmony in the trouble-torn areas of Assam and Nagaland.

Meanwhile, the situation in the curfew-bound district of Golaghat was limping back to normal.