Kohima, August 10 (MExN): The Naga Hoho on Tuesday said that border disputes between the north eastern states cannot be resolved without taking the indigenous peoples into confidence.
Referring to the Government of India’s recent proposal for satellite demarcation of boundary lines in the region, the Naga Hoho stated such an exercise would not be viable or acceptable to the people. “If any border disputes are to be resolved, then the indigenous people of the area must be taken into confidence first. The affected people in the border areas needs to be consulted and should mutually agree for any resolution of the conflict. Forceful demarcation of boundary line against the wishes of the people would only invite the wrath of the people,” it said in a statement on Tuesday.
While every society or community is defined by a distinct boundary lines that are either traditionally inherited or drawn out of administrative convenience with the consent of the people, the Naga Hoho said that the “Assam – Nagaland border is in conflict due to arbitrary demarcation by the then British government without the prior informed consent of the people.” It said that the then Naga occupied areas were not included in the creation of new Nagaland state which has led to incessant conflict over the borders, adding that the issue would be resolved once and for all “If only India is serious and have political will.”
It also said that the various Interim Agreements between the Government of Assam and Nagaland, with special reference to Interim Agreement of 1972, must be reviewed in the best interest of the two states and lamented that both the states have failed to uphold the agreements.
To arrive at a long lasting solution and to have mutual relationship between the Naga people and Assam, historical accounts must be taken into account. The age old relationship can be revived and strengthened only when the historical facts are placed in the right perspectives, it added.
The Naga Hoho also welcomed the constitution of a High Powered Committee on Border Affairs under the chairmanship of Nagaland Chief Minister and urged the committee to expedite the matter and bring about a permanent settlement. This, it said, would ultimately usher in peace, development and progress in the region.
