Assam chief minister Tarun Gogoi on Tuesday warned that the peace deal between the Centre and NSCN (Isak-Muivah) would be opposed tooth and nail if it challenged his state’s interests.
Doubts cropped up after details of the peace agreement were kept under wraps, fuelling fears that the NDA government might have acceded to the NSCN (I-M)’s demand for Nagalim or Greater Nagaland comprising swathes of Naga-inhabited contagious land in Assam, Arunachal Pradesh, Manipur and Myanmar, besides the state of Nagaland.
Assam, Manipur and Arunachal Pradesh had opposed any move to curve out a bigger Naga homeland within India by merging areas currently within their administrative territory.
Gogoi welcomed the peace deal but reiterated Assam's stand against any attempt to redraw state boundaries.
“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.
In 2001, the chief minister had forced the Centre to revoke a clause from the NSCN(I-M) deal that extended the ceasefire to Assam.
{{/usCountry}}In 2001, the chief minister had forced the Centre to revoke a clause from the NSCN(I-M) deal that extended the ceasefire to Assam.
{{/usCountry}}Monday’s peace accord brought hope to peace efforts with the pro-talks factions of Ulfa and the National Democratic Front of Boroland (NDFB) in Assam.