Rio for mutual settlement of border dispute with Assam
Nagaland Chief Minister Neiphiu Rio has favoured out-of-the-court settlement of the Assam-Nagaland border dispute based on ground realities for peaceful co-existence. Mr. Rio said, he met his Assam counterpart Tarun Gogoi during the recently held North East Chief Ministers' conclave in Guwahati and appealed for mutual resolution of impasse that had lingered on for several years. On Assam's stand to resolve the dispute only through the Supreme Court, Mr. Rio wondered on ''how the Supreme Court could pronounce a verdict on the stalemate when the matter was delicately poised both traditionally and historically''. Expressing concern over breach of relationship between the two states over the issue, Mr. Rio called upon the people of both the states to live peacefully. He observed that it was high time for the Nagas to recommit themselves to cope with the rest of the world; otherwise, they would always lag behind. On the ongoing peace process, he said, ''The NSCN (IM) which is holding talks with the Centre will bring a solution of the Naga political problem.'' He said solution is the need of the hour for permanent peace in the state. He appealed to all to pray and make efforts for the success of the peace process.

AGP unites to make dent in Congress bastion
Two camps in Asom Gana Parishad (AGP), one led by President Brindaban Goswami and another by founder President Paula Kumar Mahatma are reportedly moving towards reconciliation to make dent in the traditional Congress bastions, with an eye to the forthcoming Assembly polls in the State next year. The AGP leadership has now targeted the tea tribes, minority Muslims and linguistic minorities to expand and consolidate the party's support base. The party recently organised a convention of tea tribes at Johan in Upper Assam and subsequently formed a 'tea cell of the party'. At the convention AGP supported tea tribes' demand to be treated as Scheduled tribes and raised the issues related to their economic and social development and improved healthcare system in tea gardens. The strong tea tribes, spread over mainly five Upper Assam districts and in parts of Bark valley, with an estimated population of more than 20 lakh, are understood to be in a position to influence the outcome of at least 35 assembly seats out of a total of 126 in the state. The chinks in Congress amour in its tea tribe vote bank were first felt in 2004 Lok Sabha polls when AGP wrested the Disregard seat defeating the strong Congress candidate and former APCC Chief Pagan Singh Gateway, who himself hails from tea tribe. Issue of disputed areas to be taken to Supreme Court: Gogoi

Assam Chief Minister Tarun Gogoi rejected the possibility
Assam Chief Minister Tarun Gogoi rejected the possibilityof conceding any part of the state for a greater Nagalim as demanded by the NSCN (IM) and indicated that his Government would move the Supreme Court, seeking a verdict on the disputed areas claimed by both Assam and Nagaland. ''We are not going to part with any area which belongs to us constitutionally. There are some disputed areas...and the matter is going to the Supreme Court. Let it be decided by the court,'' he said. Mr. Gogoi said he did not have any objection to conceding any part of Assam if it was proved to be belonging to Nagaland in the court of law. ''Let them take whatever belongs to them constitutionally, if they prove it,'' he said adding that Nagaland was a neighbouring state and the matter should be settled amicably. Admitting that there were some "disputed" areas claimed by both states as their own, the Chief Minister said it was for this reason that the issue should be resolved by the court, rather than a commission as demanded by Nagaland. Mr. Gogoi said since talks began between the Centre and the NSCN (IM), his Government had not been consulted so far.

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