Naga Framework Agreement no threat to Assam's territorial integrity: CM Sonowal

DIBRUGARH: Chief minister Sarbananda Sonowal sought to allay fears over the Centre's 2015 Framework Agreement with the rebel outfit National Socialist Council of Nagaland (Isak-Muivah) on Saturday, saying that the government is committed to protecting the territorial integrity of the state.

Participating in a land patta distribution programme at Sonari in Charaideo district on Saturday, Sonowal said, "There is no reason for worry on account of Nagalim. Assam's territorial integrity will be protected at all cost. Under no circumstances are we are to give our land to Nagaland. Our land is protected. People should not fear," Sonowal said.

The CM's statement came in the backdrop of growing apprehension among the public that the state may be compelled to part with its territory following the Framework Agreement signed between the Centre and the NSCN (IM) on August 3, 2015. Since the Centre has not yet disclosed the clauses of the agreement, there has been growing apprehensions among the people at large.

The NSCN (I-M)'s core demand has been the creation of Nagalim or Greater

Nagaland

comprising the Naga-inhabited areas of Assam, Manipur and Arunachal Pradesh. The three states have, however, strongly opposed any move to alter their boundaries.

The NSCN (IM) top brass has even claimed that the framework agreement 'recognises' their demand for integration of all Naga-inhabited areas in the region. It is said that 1.3 lakh square km of land in Assam, Manipur and Arunachal Pradesh will become part of Greater Nagaland if NSCN (I-M)'s demand is met.

While there has been widespread demand that the Framework Agreement be made public, Union minister of state for home Kiren Rijiju, in a written reply to the Rajya Sabha on March 15, had said it was too early to make the agreement public since the details of the final settlement were still being worked out.

The CM during the programme distributed land pattas, kisan credit cards, power tillers, tractors and compensation to the beneficiaries. Compensation was also given out to 4,945 families of the Sonari and Sapekhati areas for storm damage.

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