Ceasefire extension does not define Naga area: Pillai

NEW DELHI, February 2: Union Joint Secretary home, in charge of the north east, GK Pillai, during an informal chat with a group of mediamen over lunch, a day after the conference on "Media in the Northeast under pressure" organised by the India International Centre in association with the Centre for Northeast Studies and Policy Research on January 28, clarified that the Government of India's position on the ceasefire with the NSCN (IM) has been somewhat misread by the media in general. According to him, the Government of India has never announced a territorial jurisdiction of the ceasefire. On the other hand it only said the ceasefire is with the NSCN (IM) everywhere. "This does not necessary mean recognition of the so-called Naga area as it has been widely interpreted by the media," Pillai told the gathering. "The ceasefire is everywhere, provided of course each side sticks to the ground rules agreed upon", he explained. "The world is not divided between Naga and non-Nagas, as many are making it out to be. It is far more complex," Pillai said. "The idea of a Naga area and non-Naga areas has been played out and orchestrated so often by vested interests that it has been successfully drilled into the thinking of most in the Northeast region," Pillai explained. "The media seems to be also caught in this net," Pillai said "The idea moreover is largely a myth", he added. "As for instance, in the stretch of land in Assam's Karbi Anglong, which the NSCN (IM) claims to be a Naga area, the Naga population constitutes less than 15 percent," He said. "We have to remember democracy is also about number. We cannot let the ground realities succumb to myths." Pillai further said. "History is not something stagnant. On the other hand it is in a constant flux and we have to learn to accommodate each other if conflict resolution is our aim." Pillai added. "There is a lot to learn from nations like England in this regard. The country has so well adjusted and accommodated immigrant population, even to the extent of sending up members of the Asian community as their representatives in parliament." He said.