Kohima, October 29
Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee today virtually ruled out the demand for greater Nagaland, saying there was no political consensus for changing boundaries of states in the North-East.“If state boundaries are to be changed, it can only be done by evolving a political consensus. At present there is no political consensus on changing the boundaries here,” Mr Vajpayee told a press conference.
On the ongoing Naga peace process, he said “The process is continuing. Talks are going on. Please don’t expect details from me.”
Asked whether a permanent solution to the Naga problem would be found only by talks with NSCN-IM, the Prime Minister said “all sections of society will be involved in finding a final solution to the problem. A beginning has been made. The process will be continued further”.
Regarding Naga talks, he said there was no timeframe and no deadline had been fixed. “We would like the talks to conclude and succeed as soon as possible”.
He also announced a financial package of Rs 1,050 crore to improve infrastructure and all-round development of Nagaland.
Asked about holding talks with other insurgent groups in the North-East, Mr Vajpayee said, “We have said we are ready for talks but they should give up violence.”
Replying to a question on the Congress allegation that BJP was using some elements to topple Congress Governments in north-eastern states, the Prime Minister said “We are a democratic country. I was thrown out of power twice, but I managed to come back.”
To a question on setting up of an airport in Kohima, the state capital, the Prime Minister said that the Chief Minister had put forward a proposal which was under consideration.
Replying to a question on the withdrawal of the Guwahati-Bangkok flight, Mr Vajpayee said: “The idea is to have more flights that applies to all sections. If any flight is withdrawn in any sector, it will be replaced.”
Asked how long the Centre would treat north-eastern states under the “package syndrome”, he said that it was the media which was responsible for that.
— PTI
