Seeking to allay concerns of three Northeastern States, Union Home Minister Rajnath Singh announced today that the territorial integrity of Arunachal Pradesh, Assam and Manipur would not be compromised while inking the final Naga peace accord.
Mr. Singh also said that violence perpetrated by insurgent groups in the Northeast has fallen significantly — by 75%-80%.
“There should be no apprehension or worry for anyone. Territorial integrity of no State will be affected,” Mr. Singh told reporters here on the sidelines of a ‘Sainik Sammelan’ of the paramilitary Assam Rifles.
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He was replying to a question on the possibility of the territorial integrity of Arunachal Pradesh, Assam and Manipur being hampered by the impending peace agreement between the Central government and the Naga insurgency group Nationalist Socialist Council of Nagaland-Isak-Muivah (NSCN-IM).
“The Central government, under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, is committed to do its best to fulfil the aspirations of the Naga people for a brighter tomorrow, with all the honour they richly deserve,” Mr. Singh said at the Hornbill Festival at the Naga heritage village if Kisama, about 12 km from the State capital Kohima, earlier in the day.
NSCN-IM’s key demand has been to integrate Naga-inhabited areas of Arunachal Pradesh, Assam and Manipur, which has been strongly opposed by the three BJP-ruled States.
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Last week, President Ram Nath Kovind said Nagaland was at the threshold of making history as the final agreement on the Naga political issue would soon be arrived at. .