Nothing in Naga deal that hurts N-E integrity: RN Ravi

Guwahati: Government of India’s interlocutor for Naga peace talks R.N. Ravi said on Saturday that there was nothing in the framework agreement which compromised the territorial integrity of Northeastern states.

Admitting that the NSCN (I-M) has been insisting on the integration of all Naga inhabited areas in the peace talks, Mr Ravi told this newspaper, “The government of India has outright rejected it.  The NSCN (I-M) do have right to pursue their demand and grievances democratically with respective stakeholders.”

Referring to reports in a section of the media that the government of India had agreed to integrate Naga inhabited areas, Mr Ravi said, “It is a lie spread by some vested interest circle. The stand of government of India is very clear and transparent on the issue. It is not agreed to NSCN (I-M) demand on territorial integration of Naga inhabited areas.”

He said that in federal structure of India, it was not possible for the government to reorganise the boundary of the states unless the respective states agree to it.

It is significant that Prime Minister Narendra Modi himself, while campaigning before elections, had said that the Naga Accord contained nothing detrimental to the interests of the people in Manipur or any other Northeastern states.