Staff Reporter
Dimapur, March 27
The United Naga Tribes Association of Border Areas (UNTABA) today urged the state government to give sincere efforts to protect and restore the traditional land of the Nagas in accordance with the 9-point- agreement and 16-point-agreement and to review the present map of Nagaland. The UNTABA at a consultative meeting held at Acacia Hotel, Dimapur, urged the government to take up the Assam–Nagaland border issue at the political level seriously for final settlement on the basis of traditional historical facts.
Passing the resolutions after the sessions of discussions among members of UNTABA, the Association urged the government to review and strengthen the Bengal Eastern Frontier Regulation 1873 and make it relevant and effective and also to bring Dimapur area under ILP zone.
The Association entrusted the ENPO and NTC to organize a consultative meet on the same issue in consultation with UNTABA immediately. The consultative meet expressed deep appreciation to the UNTABA for their selfless efforts and service to bring about a settlement on Assam-Nagaland border issues.
The objective of the meeting was to bring out an immediate demarcation of the inter-state boundary between Assam and Nagaland in accordance with the 9-Point-Agreement and 16-Point-Agreement based on the traditional and historical facts. The meeting was participated by various tribal Hohos, public organizations, NGOs, civil societies, mass based organizations and Peoples’ Organizations of ‘Disputed Area Belts.’
Chairman, UNTABA, Hukavi T. Yeputhomi while briefing the media said, in order to safeguard the inherent rights of the people of Nagaland and to right the historical wrongs committed by various circumstances, agencies and factors in the course of history, today’s consultative meet has initiated various pragmatic approaches involving both state and central level representations.
He said, ‘”It is really disheartening to observe that instead of safeguarding the land of Naga people, successive governments since inception of statehood have become agents in bartering the land of its people.”
Theja Thereih , moderator of the meeting said that the Indian Constitution Act. 1, 2, 3 and 4 are very important for the Naga society while struggling to fight towards the rights of the people of Nagaland.
One of the members during the interaction said, while trying to settle the Assam-Nagaland border issue, constitutional and traditional rights should be adapted with historical facts while some viewed that settlement should come only through political and mass participation of the people.
Moderators for the meeting were Publisher and Editor Tir Yimyim, K. Temjen Jamir and Theja Thereih.
‘No compromise with Assam border even if Centre forms Nagalim’
Assam government today asserted that there would be no compromise with state borders even if the Centre agreed to demand by NSCN(IM) regarding formation of 'Nagalim' (Greater Nagaland) during ongoing discussion with the group.
"There will be no compromise regarding boundary of Assam even if the Centre says so in the talks with NSCN(IM). We'll intimate our stand to the Centre," Parliamentary Affairs Minister Rockybul Hussain said in the Assembly.
He was responding to a query from former Chief Minister and AGP MLA Prafulla Kumar Mahanta. "Reports are saying that the tripartite talks with NSCN (IM) have reached the final stage. The reports are quoting sources from the Union Home Ministry. So will there be any compromise of Assam land if the Centre agrees to Nagalim demand?" Mahanta said.
Mahanta cited reports that the talks with NSCN(K) was also progressing well with the Centre.
"Will Assam be leaving some of its land to Nagalim? What will be Assam government's stand in this regards?" Mahanta asked.
Earlier during the Zero Hour, Congress MLA Rupjyoti Kurmi raised the issue of repeated violence in areas of Assam along its border with Nagaland.
