New Delhi, June 24 (IANS) Borders of the states in the northeast cannot be changed as this will invite opposition from people, Minister for Development of North Eastern Region (DoNER) Bijoy Krishna Handique said Thursday.
Responding to queries from media persons on the demand of the National Socialist Council for Nagaland-Isak-Muivah (NSCN-I-M) for Greater Nagaland, he said that states of the northeast would not agree to change of boundaries and ‘people would also resist’ any such move.
He said the concept of Nagalim (Greater Nagaland) involves incorporation of districts from states such as Manipur and Assam. ‘You cannot change boundaries (of states),’ he said, adding that the boundaries were created a long time back.
On peace talks with United Liberation Front of Asom (ULFA), he said a large number of members of the organisation wanted purposeful talks with the government.
Handique said that any suggestion of amnesty to ULFA cadres should come from the outfit. ‘When a suggestion comes, the government will consider,’ he said.
The minister said that the external-aided projects for the development of the northeast include a new road project at a cost of Rs.1,500 crore, a rural livelihood project and a northeastern region community resource management project for upland areas to boost agricultural production.
