ITANAGAR, Nov 16 - Arunachal Pradesh Chief Minister Pema Khandu today reiterated his Government�s stand on the Naga peace talks, firmly stating that the State�s territorial integrity would not be compromised at any cost.
�In the context of Arunachal Pradesh, I have made my stand very clear to the Union Home Minister (Amit Shah) that the territorial integrity of Arunachal Pradesh will not be compromised,� Khandu said while attending a National Press Day function at Namsai.
The Chief Minister further said that his Government would have deliberations with all 60 MLAs, and the State presidents and general secretaries of all political parties on the issue. He will place their recommendations before the Centre and make the State�s stand clear on the issue.
Khandu appreciated Prime Minister Narendra Modi and the Union Home Minister for their decision to resolve the vexed Naga issue, which has been affecting development of the North Eastern States, including the eastern Arunachal Pradesh districts of Tirap, Changlang and Longding, since decades.
�We must appreciate the talks between the Government of India and the Naga groups which, as reported in the media, are nearing their final phase. Once an agreement is reached, peace and normalcy will return to the region so that we can concentrate on development. However, when it comes to the territorial integrity of our State, I have made my stand clear to the Central Government that we will not make any compromise on it,� he said.
The Central Government had earlier stated that all stakeholders, including the North Eastern States of Arunachal Pradesh, Assam and Manipur, would be duly consulted before any settlement is arrived at, with the Naga insurgent groups.
It may be mentioned here that Arunachal Pradesh Congress Committee president Nabam Tuki has urged Chief Minister Khandu to hold an all-party meeting on the Naga issue in the greater interest of the State.
The influential All Arunachal Pradesh Students� Union (AAPSU) has also reiterated its opposition to any attempts to change the territorial jurisdiction of the State or any kind of administrative intervention in the State while reaching the final solution on the Naga issue.
