The Hindu : 'Nagaland must be consulted on deal with NSCN(I-M)'

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Friday, Sep 19, 2003

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Other States - Assam

'Nagaland must be consulted on deal with NSCN(I-M)'

By Barun Das Gupta

GUWAHATI SEPT. 18. The Nagaland Chief Minister, Neiphieu Rio, said here today that he had been kept informed "unofficially" of the ongoing talks between the Centre and the NSCN(I-M) leaders in Amsterdam.

Mr. Rio, who is now here for the formal inauguration tomorrow of the North-East People's Forum (NEPF), told The Hindu that the democratically-elected Government headed by him would have to be consulted by the Centre before a settlement was reached with the NSCN(I-M). Mr. Rio's predecessor, S. C. Jamir's constant complaint was that the Centre was not taking the State Government into confidence about the talks.Mr. Rio agreed with Mr. Jamir's stand that for a final settlement of the Naga problem, all sections of the Naga people would have to be consulted so that an acceptable solution was reached.

Earlier addressing a press meet, Mr. Rio said the NEPF would try to bring into its fold all "like-minded parties'', barring the Congress and the Left, to deal with the long-standing problems of the region. These, according to him, are: insurgency, infiltration from Bangladesh, inter-State development, problems of the tribal people and good governance. They would also consult the Election Commission on reducing the poll expenditure.

Asked how the NEPF could tackle the problems of the north-eastern States as a whole by keeping out the Congress, which rules Assam, Meghalaya and Manipur, the forum convener, P. A. Sangma, retorted: "How long do you think the Congress will be in power in these States?''

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'Nagaland must be consulted on deal with NSCN(I-M)'