Assam CM's involvement in Naga peace talks may compromise State's interest: APCC

GUWAHATI: The Assam Pradesh Congress Committee (APCC) on Tuesday raised questions over Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma's involvement in the Naga peace talks and said that the State's interest might be compromised in the long run.

In a press statement, APCC president Bhupen Bora said, "In the year 2015, Prime Minister Narendra Modi had proudly announced the Nagaland Framework Agreement of the Government of India with NSCN (I-M). Surprisingly the Framework Agreement was not publicly divulged. At that time, the Congress party had demanded that the contents of the Framework Agreement should be made public but till today nobody knows what is in the Agreement."

"Subsequently, Prime Minister Modi also appointed his most trusted aide, Naga Peace Talks Interlocutor RN Ravi as the Governor of Nagaland in 2019. Matters did not improve and the Framework Agreement appeared to be a 'discord Agreement' as public spats between leaders of NSC(I-M) and Governor Ravi became headlines of news reports. Now Prime Minister Modi has removed Governor Ravi without resolving the Nagaland issue. At the same time we have heard that Home Minister Amit Shah has deputed Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma to talk to NSCN (I-M). The question now arises in what capacity will the Assam Chief Minister talk to NSCN(I-M)? As a Chief Minister can he go and hold talks without taking the Assembly and cabinet into confidence? The NSCN (I-M) is known to be a supporter of Greater Nagalim and it is supposed to include parts of Assam. The Congress party is committed to keeping its state intact and under no circumstances will allow any part of its land into Greater Nagalim," said Bora.

"The APCC views the act of participation of Sarma in the talks with suspicion and mistrust and apprehends that Assam's interest may be compromised in the long run,'' said Bora.

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