With an eye to the forthcoming Assembly elections in the State, Nagaland Pradesh Congress Committee (NPCC) took a 10-point resolution held recently at the party’s Annual General Session held at Congress Bhavan, Kohima.

Among others, the Congress took the significant decision to urge upon the Government of India to implement in toto, Clause 13 of the 16 Point Agreement of 1960 calling for the integration of Naga contiguous areas. The Congress in its resolution pointed out that the integration clause had remained elusive and unfulfilled for the last forty seven years. “The NPCC resolves to urge upon the Government of India to implement the agreement in toto”.

However, following the Nagaland Pradesh Congress Committee’s (NPCC) decision to urge the Government of India to implement Clause 13 of the 16 point Agreement of 1960, which called for the integration of the contiguous Naga areas, has attracted stiff flaks from all quarters in Manipur political arena.
The decision was however, viewed as a 'long-standing' demand of the Nagaland Congress, according to NPCC president Hokheto Sumi, who briefed the media after the session. He said the Nagaland Assembly had passed resolution three times concerning the issue during NPCC's heyday in the assembly.
However, the NPCC decision is drawing more blisters in Manipur. Various political parties of Manipur, with no exception to the ruling Congress, have come out vehemently against the Nagaland unit of Congress party's missive to the Centre urging the integration of all contiguous Naga areas with Nagaland.

Terming the NPCC resolution as provocative, the Congress led Secular Progressive Front (SPF) Government of Manipur reacted against it and denounced the resolution. Communist Party of India, CPI, Manipur unit, the constituent party of SPF, has categorically said that the Centre will never heed to the move as the UPA is committed to safeguarding the existing state boundaries of the North East region. While the opposition party Manipur Peoples' Party (MPP) taking serious note of the resolution, urged both the AICC and Manipur Pradesh Congress Committee (MPCC) to clarify on the matter, failing which, MPP will take that the Congress has been playing a key role in breaching the boundaries of the NE region.

It may be recalled that six United Naga Council (UNC) sponsored MLAs and Outer Manipur MP Mani Cheranamei had recently submitted a memorandum to the Prime Minister Manmohan Singh demanding the unification of Naga inhabited areas including that of Myanmar. Subsequently, in a swift reaction to the Naga politicians' move, an all political party meeting of Manipur had resolved to hold a special Assembly session to discuss the matter.

Seram Mangi Singh, Chairman of MPCC Media Cell said the stance of AICC is very clear that the boundaries of the North Eastern States should be kept intact. He also noted that the same stance has been elaborated in the Common Minimum Programme, CMP of the United Progressive Alliances, UPA.
Manipur State secretary of CPI, B.Sharma took serious note of the inactivity of the AICC secretary Ranji Thomas who was present in the Nagaland Congress session over his failure to react at the time of passing such provocative resolution. He also said the Centre will not endorse the resolution which will disturb the existing boundaries of the region to fecilitate ‘Greater Nagalim’.

Meanwhile Manipur unit BJP secretary, S.Tiken Singh questioned how AICC is playing a double standard policy. He said Nagaland Assembly had passed a resolution three times in favour of integrating Naga area, whereas the Manipur assembly resolved for safeguarding Manipur's territorial integrity. "It clearly shows the Congress' double standard policy", he pointed out.

The MPP, a party committed to safeguard Manipur territorial integrity, on the other hand, came down heavily against the decision. Leader of MPP Legislature wing, O.Joy while condemning strongly the resolution of the NPCC for integration of Naga areas with Nagaland, he questioned the role played by the Congress unit in Nagaland and Manipur.

He said the issue which hurt the people's sentiments should be taken up for discussion on the floor of the Assembly by calling a special session. "SPF Government should be held responsible for any eventuality if it fails to convene the session," Joy warned.

Dr.L.Chandramani, MPP president also said that the memorandum submitted to the PM jointly by six MLAs and Outer Manipur MP is a challenge to MPP, which is a party set up to protect the territorial integrity of Manipur. MPP secretary S.Umananda warned that his party and the people would not remain silent if the AICC leaders endorse the moves of the Nagaland Congress

The party also resolved that the Naga political problem being a political issue needing political solution, reiterated its appeal to the Naga undergrounds to unite for achieving a lasting political solution through democratic means.

It was resolved that the Congress party “without any discrimination will seek the opinion of all Naga leaders for broader consultation irrespective of party affiliation as far as the Naga political issue is concerned”.

The Congress party also made it clear that it was prepared to step down from the government should there be any political solution arrived at between the Government of India and Naga undergrounds.
It resolved that the party will be “politically accommodative and approachable to all sections of the Naga people”.

On the State boundary dispute with neighbouring states, the Congress said that the dispute had cost precious lives and loss of property and immense inconveniences to innocent public since for the last few decades. “It is resolved that the Congress party will go all out to protect our traditional rights and amicably settle boundary disputes so that we safeguard the live and properties of Nagas and at the same time have friendly neighbours for peaceful co-existence”

The Congress also took a dig at the NPF-led DAN government pointing out that ever since the present regime came to power, the people of Nagaland State have been living under confusion and chaos due to the total failure of DAN government in all fronts. “The political negotiation and cease-fire initiated by Congress party leaders has become directionless under the DAN leadership and the innocent public has been taken to ransom by anti-social elements”, the party stated.

The party did not spare the policy of equi-closeness either stating that it has proved its inability to tackle the deteriorating law and order situation as there is no transparency in dealing with the Naga undergrounds. “Mr. Neiphiu Rio, Chief Minister of Nagaland, attempted to jeopardize the peace process by talking of ‘Interim Agreement’ without specifying what type of arrangement was proposed under such interim agreement”, it further stated.

The NPF-led DAN Government was also indicted for lacking “transparency and accountability in it’s governance”, mentioning that it was “committing rampant corruption in the government such as misuse of Rs. 365 crores peace package, Saijang IRB Hq, bogus appointment of teachers in School Education department, selling of job by Lok Sabha MP, free text book distribution scam, fake certificate scandal in Nagaland Board of School Education, Transport Subsidy, fake Gun License, scams in Horticulture department etc. and many others”.