Allaying concerns arising out of undisclosed details of the recently-signed Naga Peace Accord with Nagaland insurgent group NSCN-IM, the Union Minister of State for Home Affairs, Kiren Rijiju, has assured that the agreement has been made keeping the interests of all the concerned states in mind.
Although, the Naga Peace Accord is aimed at bringing lasting peace to the region, representatives of Assam, Manipur and Arunachal Pradesh have expressed concerns that it would harm the interests of the three neighbouring states.
While opposition parties have been slamming Prime Minister Narendra Modi for signing the agreement without taking the state representatives into confidence, Rijiju confirmed that none of the neighbouring states would be adversely impacted by the agreement.
"The sentiments of Manipur, Assam and Arunachal Pradesh will not be overlooked. The peace deal is not going to serve the interests of one group or community. It will be in the interest of the whole of northeast," The Times of India quoted Rijiju during his recent visit to Imphal, Manipur, as saying.
"The northeast has been facing insurgency for a long time. People are starving for peace. The peace accord is a confidence building measure and it would not hurt the sentiments of the other northeastern states," he added.
It must be mentioned one of the key demands of NSCN-IM has been a "Greater Nagaland", which would mean territorial loss for the neighbouring states of Assam, Manipur and Arunachal Pradesh.
The representatives of these states have made it clear they would oppose the agreement if the interests of their states are affected.
Rijiju's visit to Manipur was meant to take a stock of the flood situation in the state. The minister conducted an aerial survey of the affected areas, after which he announced a relief of Rs 8 crore for the state.
