Some northeast states apprehensive of Naga peace talks

A few northeastern states, including those ruled by the BJP, have expressed apprehensions over the Central government's ongoing peace talks with the NSCN-IM with Manipur Chief Minister N. Biren Singh on Friday saying his government will not remain silent if the state's boundary is sought to be altered as a result.

"For me, the state's integrity is more important than my chair," he said, and added that he is in touch with the Central government to convey that he will not tolerate "even an inch" of Manipur's land being compromised.

The National Socialist Council of Nagaland-Isak-Muivah is for the unification of the "lands of the Nagas" now spread in Manipur, Assam and Arunachal Pradesh -- ruled by the Bharatiya Janata Party.

Though successive Central governments have assured the people that there will be no change of the existing territories of these states and NSCN-IM leaders also maintain that they do not covet anybody's land, apprehension still lingers in states bordering Nagaland.

Biren Singh also revealed that he is convening an all political parties' meeting on Saturday to discuss the looming "threat" of their territorial integrity being compromised.

Assam Chief Minister S. Sonowal had approached the central government on the issue and Home Minister Rajnath Singh assured him that Assam's territory will not be compromised.

M. Tombi, president of Shiva Sena in Manipur, on Friday submitted a memorandum to Governor Najma Heptulla to protect Manipur's interest, amendment of Article 3 of the Constitution in the backdrop of the peace talks.

Other NGOs in Manipur have sounded a note of warning to the state and central governments.

--IANS

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