Naga accord is just a framework to keep peace in NE states

NEW DELHI: Even after one and half years of signing ‘Naga Peace Accord' the BJP led NDA government has clarified it as a ‘framework to keep peace' in the north-eastern states.

Sources said, during the last meeting of the Standing Committee of Home Affairs on Monday, the Joint Secretary of North East division of MHA said, “There is nothing called Naga Peace Accord. It is just a framework to uphold the peace in the area.”

Following the massive Naga violence in both poll-bound Manipur and Arunachal Pradesh the Home Secretary Rajiv Meherishi and the JS N-E Satyendra Garg were asked to clarify the government's failure to retain peace in the Naga states. They were also asked to clear facts on the peace accord to the Standing Committee. “JS had stated that Nagaland is with India, but not within India,” added sources.

The opposition parties have also alleged center for not publicizing the ‘Naga Peace Accor'. While the both Home Secretary and JS N-E were asked during the Standing Committee Meeting on the issue, they said that it is to appease the Naga groups, said sources.

After winning in Assam Prime Minister Narendra Modi signed ‘Naga Peace Accord' on August 2015 with National Socialist Council of Nagaland (NSCN) which is a Christian extremist to end the insurgency. Political observers feel that Naga insurgency by United Naga Council (UNC) over last few months is not only an economic blockade for India but it can also go against the incumbent BJP in the state.

Apart from Hindu Meiteis, there exists a huge section of Nagas in the hill areas and Meiteis are not backing BJP because of Naga People's Front (NPF) ruling Nagaland is aligned to BJP. So the Congress party is little ahead like last ten years.

Assembly polls are scheduled to be held in Manipur in two phases, on 4 and 8 March.