Illegal Bangladeshis arrested in Tripura; Assam State Cabinet clears White Paper on influx; Nagaland legislators insist on Union Home Minister for early settlement of the Naga issue; Centre-NSCN (IM) inching towards settlement;
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    • According to reports, twelve Bangladeshis have been arrested in Tripura for illegally entering India. Police suspect that the men may have been involved in the recent attacks on Buddhist and Hindu temples in Chittagong in Bangladesh. The arrested illegal persons would be sent back to Bangladesh after legal formalities.1

    In another development, according to reports, the State Cabinet of Assam on October 15 cleared the white paper prepared by the Government on the issue of infiltration by foreigners into the state and the measures taken to deal with the problem. The white paper will be made public soon.2

    Reports noted that in a fresh attempt aimed at pressing the Centre to resolve the vexed Naga problem, a 19-member delegation of Joint Legislators Forum (JLF) called on Union Home Minister, Sushil Kumar Shinde demanding settlement of the Naga issue ahead of the Assembly polls next year. The visit by the delegation has come at a time, when the Centre has shown some urgency in resolving the Naga issue. The Union Home Minister last month hinted that a settlement could be reached by March next year. The delegation, meanwhile, also called on the NSCN (I-M) general secretary, Th. Muivah. According to reports the NSCN (I-M) has given an undertaking in writing that they would accept a solution within the purview of the Constitution of India.3

    According to reports, the Centre and the formidable Naga militant outfit, NSCN (I-M) are inching towards a political settlement, ending over five decade long insurgency in the State. Political integration of Naga inhabited districts of neighbouring Manipur, Assam and Arunchal Pradesh are not part of the deal under negotiation. The much elusive memorandum of settlement being worked out in consultation with the NSCN (I-M) includes a proposal to convert Nagaland legislature into a bicameral Assembly by creating a second House, autonomous development councils, separate flag for the State, more autonomy, special status, formal recognition of the unique history of the Nagas, a slew of development projects, among others. The Naga militant group had demanded increasing the size of the 60-member Nagaland Assembly by 20 seats. The Centre reckons that bicameral legislature would take care of the demand to accommodate marginal tribal groups and sub-groups. The only condition is that the Assembly would not be allowed to be called Parliament, as has been suggested by the group.4

    In other developments, according to reports, the Eastern Nagaland People’s Organisation (ENPO) on October 19 reiterated its stand not to accept any form of economic package and maintained that the constitution of a State Level Steering Committee (SLSC) on special development package for Eastern Nagaland will have no meaning. It mentioned that the public resolution on June 12 at Tuensang, which was duly signed by all the six tribal presidents on behalf of the ENPO, had rejected the offers of the State Government. Based on the public resolution, it had been conveyed to the Chief Minister on June 22 that nothing less than full-fledged Statehood as demanded would be accepted by the ENPO.5

    Reports noted that one year from the date of signing of MoS with the Government, the UPDS members have been provided rehabilitation package at a grant distribution ceremony at Diphu indoor stadium, in Karbi Anglong on October 19. During the grant distribution ceremony, a cheque of Rs 1.5 lakh was given to each 423 elsewhere-UPDS members as one time financial package. The UPDS militant organization came in cease fire agreement with the government in 2002 and later they signed MoS (Memorandum of Settlement) on November 25, 2011.6

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