GUWAHATI, Aug 10 - The Assam Legislative Assembly today passed a resolution calling upon the Centre to make public New Delhi�s �peace� accord with the NSCN(IM) and to ensure that there is no compromise on Assam�s territorial integrity.
The Assembly adopted the resolution brought by the government, asking the Centre to make public, details of the accord signed on August 3.
It demanded that the Centre ensure there is no change in the territorial boundaries of Assam and no inclusion of Assam�s land in �Nagalim�, and also called upon the Central government to ensure that no steps are taken which could go against Assam�s political, geographical, economic and cultural interests.
An all-party delegation of MLAs from Assam will also visit New Delhi soon to raise these points with the Centre.
Replying to a debate on the resolution, Chief Minister Tarun Gogoi said there was lack of clarity regarding the accord and its framework and this had created apprehensions in Assam and other states like Manipur and Arunachal Pradesh.
�During AB Vajpayee�s government, the Centre had discussed with the Assam government the issue of extending the NSCN(IM)�s ceasefire agreement to include Assam. So why not now? The issue of framework only came after we raised the point about lack of details,� he said.
The Chief Minister added, �All of us welcome any effort for peace. If it (accord) does not affect us, we have no problem. NSCN(IM) has been demanding Nagalim. Have they given up their demand for Nagalim? That is our question. If they have given up that demand, we have no issue. We also want peace. Without peace in Nagaland, there cannot be peace in Assam.�
Gogoi said the Central government had not followed democratic principles while agreeing upon the accord.
�The Union Cabinet is not aware of details. The Home Minister is not aware of details. The Parliament is now in session. The government could have provided the details in Parliament. The Centre is now saying that it will discuss with states. Why are they not disclosing the framework? Framework always comes before discussion. Why is there now talk of framework after 20 years have passed in talks?� he said.
Earlier, tabling the resolution, Parliamentary Affairs Minister Rakibul Hussain called upon all MLAs and parties to unite for protecting the territorial integrity of Assam.
Participating in the debate, AGP MLA Phani Bhushan Choudhury welcomed the resolution and called for sending an all-party delegation to New Delhi to espouse the cause of Assam assertively.
MLA Ataur Rahman Mazarbhuiya also supported the resolution and said that people living in border areas had continually faced harassment from miscreants based in Nagaland.
AGP�s Keshab Mahanta said lots of rumours had emerged in recent days regarding the accord. �There is apprehension that our State may be adversely affected. We should be careful,� he said.
BPF�s Parmila Rani Brahma also supported the resolution and said that while any peace effort was welcome, Assam should be kept informed about the details.
BJP�s Jadhav Deka however, said that the State government should not politicise the issue. Opposing the resolution, Deka said the final framework of the accord was yet to take shape.
