NEW DELHI, June 11 — Asserting that the Union Government was interested in defusing the disturbances in the North-East, Union Home Minister, Shivraj Patil today disclosed that the Centre was in the process of finalising the next course of action in the Naga peace process, even as he ruled out redrawing of the territorial boundaries of the North Eastern States. The Union Home Minister’s disclosure came even as a delegation of Naga Hoho landed in the capital to lodge protest over the UPA Government’s pledge not to tinker with the territorial integrity of the North Eastern States. They wanted the Centre to scrap the clause from the Common Minimum Programme (CMP).
The Union Home Minister, meanwhile, interacting with newsmen disclosed that the process of Government of India’s interlocutor K.Padmanabhaiah’s visit to Bangkok was being processed. “We will take a decision soon,” he said. On the issue of territorial integrity of the North Eastern States that again threatens to blow into a controversy, the Union Home Minister said that the Government would shortly clarify its stand to NSCN (I-M). He was however, categorical in asserting that existing boundaries of the States cannot be disturbed without consultation with the States. These kind of arrangements cannot be made without consulting the States,” he said, declining to react to the demands for greater Nagaland. But he added that the Government of India was prepared to do what needed to be done to solve the Naga problem.
When asked if there was going to be a policy shift in the Naga peace process, Sri Patil said that the Government was not going to disturb the good work done by the previous regime. “We are interested in defusing the disturbed conditions in Nagaland,” he said refusing to comment on the previous regime’s rule.
Meanwhile, a delegation of the Naga Hoho, an apex body of the tribal organisations of Nagaland currently touring the capital apparently to gauge the mood of the new Government has called on a host of Central leaders including UPA chairperson and AICC president, Sonia Gandhi, Union Home Minister, Shivraj Patil. They are also waiting for an appointment with the Prime Minister. The Naga Hoho urged Smt. Gandhi to review the clause in the CMP that stated that the territorial integrity of existing North Eastern States would be maintained. They claimed that such assertions at this stage when the peace process was on have created uncertainty among the people.
A member of the delegation told this newspaper that they had tried to impress upon the Central leaders not to jeopardise the peace process by such piecemeal approach and instead strive to resolve the Naga problem at one go. “Smt Gandhi said she would examine the issue but we understand her compulsion of keeping her allies happy,” he commented. The four-member delegation led by former MP M Viro president of Naga Hoho meanwhile, called on the Union Home Minister to urge him to expedite the peace process and restore the integrity of Nagaland. Sri Patil was also urged to re-think on the clause on territorial integrity. “When the peace process was started without any condition, the clause on territorial integrity is a violation of the agreement and we have urged the Central leaders to remove it from the CMP,” Viro told newsmen after emerging from the meeting with the Union Home Minister. Sri Patil was quite good and gave us a patient hearing,” he said, when asked about the Home Minister’s response.
The delegation included speaker of the Federal Assembly of Naga Hoho, Rovi, deputy speaker Akang and member Ho Chi. A member of the delegation said that despite the growing uncertainty in the State after the declaration of the CMP, the NSCN (I-M) leaders have so far not reacted to the development, said a member. Meanwhile a worried Nagaland Chief Minister, N. Rio has made one last-ditch effort to avoid downsizing of his Ministry by utilising the services of the Naga Hoho. Apart from discussing the issue of Naga peace process, the delegation pleaded with the Central leaders to exempt Nagaland from the process. “The downsizing of the Ministry should not be applicable to Nagaland as we are a composition of different tribes and population mix,” he argued.