'Naga people want to settle boundary row outside court'

An eight-member Assam-Nagaland Goodwill Team on Friday called on Assam Chief Minister Tarun Gogoi and conveyed that people of Nagaland wanted an amicable and peaceful solution to the vexed Assam-Nagaland boundary row outside the jurisdiction of the apex court.

"The matter should be resolved outside the court with both sides arriving at a mutually agreed solution through give and take policy. Towards this end we have the blessings of our Chief Minister Neiphiu Rio and various organisations," said Tali Longkunar, member of the good will team.

The members while expressing concern over the prolonged dispute between the two neighbouring states, pointed out that the issue should be resolved mutually and amicably in the greater interests of the region as a whole.

The members while apprising the Assam chief minister of the talks they have had with organisations such as Asom Sahitya Sabha and All Assam Students' Union, expressed their willingness for a peaceful solution to the vexed issue once and for all.

The members were of the opinion that the resolving of the vexed border dispute between Nagaland and Assam would have a great impact on the overall economic development of the entire region.

Chief Minister Tarun Gogoi while lauding the attempt made by the members of the Assam-Nagaland Goodwill Team said he would be too happy if the peoples of both the States decide to resolve the border row mutually and amicably.

"I will be too happy if the peoples of both sides sit together and arrive at a mutual understanding. Mutual resolution to any problem is the best solution. Our government will extend all support and cooperation to such initiatives," he said.

The members of the team handed over a copy of the agreement signed by erstwhile chief ministers of Assam and Nagaland Hiteswar Saikia and SC Jamir respectively in 1993 who mutually agreed to a number of decisions on the boundary row and requested Gogoi to give 'emphasis' on it.

The other members of the team included Azu Newmai and Seyie Kuolic, former ministers K Suoho, Pantic Phom, Razou Razouvoto and Namjok Konyak.

The boundary dispute between the two neighbouring states is now under the consideration of the Supreme Court as both the state governments failed to settle the issue mutually through negotiation and agreed to abide by what the court recommend for the purpose.