Won't compromise on State's territorial integrity: AAPSU

ITANAGAR: The All Arunachal Pradesh Students' Union (AAPSU) on Wednesday made it clear that it will not compromise on the territorial integrity of the State, in the protracted Naga political issue.

Reiterating its firm stand on the decades-old issue, the apex students' body of the state stated that the union though appreciates the progress towards restoring peace in Nagaland, but it should not be at the cost of diluting the territorial integrity of the State.

"Any initiative towards restoring peace in Nagaland should be restricted within the territory of Nagaland and compromising territorial integrity of Arunachal Pradesh will warrant drastic movements," AAPSU president Hawa Bagang told the media here.

AAPSU general secretary Tobom Dai demanded that all stakeholders of the Naga Peace Accord should be consulted before taking any final decision because any unfavorable decision against the state would have 'far reaching ramifications' and that the state and the central government would be held responsible for any law-and-order situation.

Informing that many parts of the State are being affected by the 'Naga Peace Accord', Dai said that the State government should make its stand clear on the matter while consulting with the Community Based Organizations (CBO), in a transparent manner.

The AAPSU president further reiterated the stand of the Union on the demand for 'Autonomous District Councils' (ADCs), and said that people concerned should stop lobbying for something which would never happen.

"As long as AAPSU exists, the Autonomous District Council will never see the light of the day," Bagang said adding; even the central government will not let it happen.

He added that if the state is brought under the Sixth Schedule of the Constitution, the demand for ADC would never materialize as long as AAPSU exists.

On Home Minister Bamang Felix's recent statement regarding seeking more Constitutional rights for the State's tribal population, the AAPSU president said that the students' body welcomed the State government's move and added that more emphasis should be given to amending Article 371 (H).

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