UNTABA urges Chief Minister to take prompt action
DIMAPUR, FEBRUARY 26 (MExN): The United Naga Tribes Association of Border Areas (UNTABA) today submitted a memorandum to the Nagaland State Chief Minister, Dr Shurhozelie Liezietsu to take action in bringing about a resolution to the vexed boundary issue between the states of Nagaland and Assam.
The memo demanded that a resolution be adopted seeking Parliament to consider for amendment in the State of Nagaland Act, 1962, Section 3 & 4 in the August House of the Nagaland Legislative Assembly.
It asked that the implementation of points 12 and 13 of the 16 Points Agreement of 1960 be vigorously pursued so as to “amalgamate the traditional and historical Naga lands in Assam to the present state of Nagaland.
The memo also called for consideration of appeal of the concerned Naga citizens to file a suitable petition on the Supreme Court praying for the implementation of the 9 Points Agreement of 1947 for the amalgamation, vis-à-vis “bringing back the traditional and historical Naga lands in Assam to Nagaland as agreed between the then Emissaries of the Government of India and the Naga people (NNC).”
It further urged the Chief Minister to direct the concerned department to maintain clear Naga-Ahom traditional and political boundary in all official documents “since the stand of the Naga people is no more or less than its historical records of time immemorial.”
The UNTABA meanwhile reminded that it has been exploring all possible initiatives towards resolving the border issue. Towards this, the UNTABA informed that it has held extensive consultations with all stake holders including central and state leaders, other agencies, legal luminaries etc.
It claimed that the Naga people are “convinced that the boundary issue needs to be settled by political decision since Nagaland as the 16th state in the Union of India was created on political agreement keeping in abeyance the boundary demarcation to be undertaken in due course of time in accordance to the Constitutional provisions of Article 3 & 4 of the Constitution of India.”
While expecting prompt action from the new CM towards this end, the UNTABA also asked him to consider allowing the Department of Law and Justice to directly be involved with the Border Affairs Department to pursue the ongoing litigation process in the Supreme Court.
It meanwhile urged that the CM also appoint a “pro active Naga veteran” as Advisor for proper functioning of various agencies on the border issue.
Meanwhile, in a separate press statement, the UNTABA informed that it had conducted extensive campaign with the Government of Nagaland including the Chief Minister, Members of the Cabinets, Members of the Parliament, Chairman DAN and President NPF of the previous Government.
“However, in spite of our sincere efforts, the Government of Nagaland is yet to act upon the demand of the UNTABA,” it lamented.
“Now, as the new dispensation had taken over the Government of Nagaland having more or less the same leadership, we strongly urge the Government of Nagaland to take up the proposed Resolution in the scheduled Assembly Session to be held on March 21, 2017 adopt the same so as to pave the way for resolution of the protracted boundary issue between the Government of Nagaland and Assam,” it urged.
