Guwahati, Nov 18 (PTI) After Manipur, it is the turn
of the Assam government to raise objection to the Centre's
reported suggestion of granting a 'supra state body' status to
the Nagas settled across the Northeastern region.
"The Assam government will take no steps which will
affect the state's geographical boundary," government
spokesman and minister Dr Himanta Biswa Sarma told reporters
here today.
"Some of Assam's areas were under the occupation of
Nagaland," he said.
The border dispute between Assam and Nagaland has been
continuing for decades.
"There are no Naga areas in Assam and only some Zeme
Nagas in the North Cachhar Hills district. The few Nagas who
stay in other parts of the state are 'encroachers' and not
inhabitants", the spokesman said.
Zeme Naga community is one of the three sub-groups of
Zeliangrong tribe.
The government would not take any step that might
affect the hopes and aspirations of the people of Assam, Sarma
said.
Earlier, Manipur Chief Minister Okram Ibobi Singh had
wrote to the Centre seeking clarification on media reports
that the government was considering granting a 'supra state
body' status to Nagas living in Assam, Nagaland, Manipur and
Arunachal Pradesh to enable them preserve their culture,
identity and customary laws under one body.
