Why secrecy over Naga pact, asks Gogoi

The secrecy surrounding the Naga peace accord raises fears that it might hurt the interests of other states including Assam, Chief Minister Tarun Gogoi said on Tuesday.

"To keep such an important document under wraps raises doubts about its veracity," Gogoi said in a statement here.

"It also raises doubts that the peace deal might affect the interests of Assam, Manipur and Arunachal Pradesh," he added.

The Assam chief minister had earlier opposed the previous NDA government's move to extend the ceasefire to Naga inhabited areas beyond Nagaland.

But Gogoi said he welcomed a settlement of the Naga issue.

On Monday, the Indian government and the Nationalist Socialist Council of Nagaland-Isak-Muivah signed a peace accord in Delhi. Details of the pact are, however, not known.

"Though the agreement has been reached after prolonged struggle by the Naga group, it is astonishing why the clauses of the agreement are kept in the dark," Gogoi said.

"Even the home ministry has given the impression that it is in the dark about the details of the agreement."

He said his government "will oppose tooth and nail any move that affects the interests of Assam".