• Military Menu                       

• Introduction
• Systems
• Facilities
• Agencies
• Industry
• Operations
• Countries
• Hot Documents
• News
• Reports
• Policy
• Budget
• Congress
• Links

• WMD
• Intelligence
• Homeland Security
• Space

Vajpayee rules out integration of Naga inhabited areas in Nagaland

IRNA

Guwahati, Oct 29, IRNA -- Indian Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee 
Wednesday ruled out any integration of Naga-inhabited areas in the 
northeastern state of Nagaland, saying there was no "political 
consensus" on the issue. 
"A political consensus is a must for redrawing boundaries," 
Vajpayee told journalists in Nagaland`s state capital Kohima. "At 
present there is no political consensus on changing the boundaries in 
Nagaland." 
A number of tribal groups, including Naga separatists belonging to
the Isak-Muivah faction of the National Socialist Council of Nagaland,
have been demanding the integration of Naga-inhabited areas in Assam, 
Arunachal Pradesh and Manipur to create a unified homeland for Naga 
tribespeople. 
The demand had gained ground since Vajpayee arrived in Kohima on 
Monday. Vajpayee also announced a Rs.10.5 billion economic package to 
boost state`s infrastructure and undertake other development measures.
Vajpayee also said that the dragging boundary dispute between 
India and China could be resolved only through negotiations. 
He said progress was made towards settling the dispute with China 
that sparked off a border war in 1962. "Talks are going on with China.
Both states have appointed special representatives for the talks," he 
said. 
"So far as Sikkim is concerned, things are moving in the right 
direction," he added, referring to the small Himalayan State that 
China had for long refused to recognize as Indian territory. 
The special representatives of the two countries, Vajpayee said, 
had met once. "The next meeting is being planned. 
"Dialogue is the only way to solve the boundary question," he 
asserted. Questioned about the alleged smuggling of Chinese goods to 
markets in India`s northeastern states, Vajpayee said Indian markets 
faced no threat from this. 
"As far as Chinese goods are concerned, they can come legally or 
through some hidden means. We can protect our interests. We will have 
to be competitive and improve the quality of our goods." 
/211 
End