Cong state units lock horns over 145;Nagalim146;

Less than two weeks after the storm caused here by the memorandum from Manipur Naga MLAs to the Prime Minister urging territorial integration of Naga-inhabited areas

Less than two weeks after the storm caused here by the memorandum from Manipur Naga MLAs to the Prime Minister urging territorial integration of Naga-inhabited areas, the issue has come to the fore once again. And this time, it has pitted the state units of the Congress party in Nagaland and Manipur against each other.

Manipur Congressmen are livid over a resolution adopted by their Nagaland counterparts during the latter8217;s annual general session, which promises to work towards Naga territorial integration. The resolution also urges the Centre to think on the same lines. As per the long-standing demand of the NSCN I-M, four Naga-dominated hill districts of Manipur, as well as parts of Assam, Arunachal and Myanmar are to be clubbed with Nagaland to form Greater Nagaland or 8220;Nagalim8221;.

But, Prime Minister Manmohan Singh during his address while visiting Manipur last December had said the Centre would not take any steps that might go against the wishes of the people of the state. Congress and CPI leaders as well as Opposition MLAs from the valley have denounced the resolution, saying the Centre is committed to Manipur8217;s territorial integrity.

While Youth Affairs and Sports Minister N Biren has said the ruling UPA would never compromise on this, MPCC media cell chairman Mangi Singh said that maintaining the existing boundaries within the Northeast is mentioned in the Common Minimum Programme.

Nagaland Congress Legislative Party leader I Imkong said from Kohima that the resolution was only 8220;a reminder8221;. 8220;Our resolution has only referred to Clause 13 of the 16-point agreement signed between Nagas and the Centre in 1960, which agrees on integration of contiguous Naga areas. I don8217;t think this goes against the wishes of the Congress leaders at the Centre. The Nagaland Assembly has passed four resolutions over the years favouring integration of Naga areas. It is now the responsibility of the Government of India to ensure this happens,8221; he said.