Dimapur, June 13 (MExN): The United Naga Tribes Association on Border Areas (UNTABA) has urged the Government of India (GoI) to go back to history and acknowledge historical facts if its intent is to really bring about permanent political settlement with any ethnic community in the North East.
“Towards this end, the GOI should instead adopt proactive policies so as to review the North East Reorganization Act of 1971 in its entirety and affect necessary amendments so that any political agreement/arrangement can be made with permanency,” it said in a press release on Sunday.
The statement comes in the backdrop of the purported formation of Karbi Anglong Autonomous Territorial Council (KAATC) based on the ongoing talk between the Government of India, Government of Assam.
In its statement, the UNTABA highlighted the history of the ‘the Rengma Naga Hills’ under the British rule and subsequent the demarcation of the Naga Hills District in 1875. It also acknowledged the intent of the Government of India and the Government of Assam for its initiation in bringing about peaceful political settlement with various rebel groups. However, it cautioned that no political settlement would prove fruitful if it does not honor historical facts, “especially so in the case of the present Karbi Anglong and Dima Hasao areas of Assam where the original settlers are Rengmas, Zeme and Zeliangrong Nagas.” Any political settlements that maybe worked out with the immigrants or late settlers can never bring about peace and tranquility in this part of the world, it asserted.
