A day after the Centre and the NSCN (IM) leadership inked the historic accord in New Delhi, political leaders and civil society groups across the North-East are eagerly waiting for the details.
The chief ministers of Manipur and Assam have urged the Centre to immediately disclose the details of the framework agreement agreed upon.
Manipur Chief Minister Okram Ibobi Singh categorically said that he was shocked and surprise at the same time while expressing his happiness over the deal. He also asked the Centre to immediately share the details with all the state governments in the North-East.
“There was no consultation done with Manipur or other state governments. This deal is very important for the North-East and would impact the region. It is not a question of only Nagaland. New Delhi should have taken everyone into confidence before signing. We will not tolerate any threat to the territorial integrity of Manipur,” Ibobi said during a press conference.
His counterpart in Assam, Tarun Gogoi while welcoming the peace deal said, “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. Even the Ministry of Home Affairs has given the impression that it is in the dark about the details of the agreement... To keep such an important document under wraps raises doubt about its veracity. It also raises doubt that the peace deal might affect the interests of Assam, Manipur and Arunachal Pradesh.’’
Gogoi also said that he will oppose tooth and nail any move that affects the “interests” of Assam.
One of the core demands of the NSCN(IM) is creation of Greater Nagalim by integrating Naga inhabited areas of Assam, Manipur, Arunachal Pradesh and Nagaland. Except for Nagaland, all the other states are opposed to the idea.
Civil society groups and political parties have welcomed the accord, but they were cautious to respond. “We welcome the accord but we need to see its contents before making further comments,” said Naga Hoho president P Chuba Ozukum. Naga Hoho is the apex body of all Naga tribes.
All the other NSCN factions including NSCN(K) has remained tight-lipped.