No changes in Cong manifesto on Naga inhabited areas: Alva

Shillong, Feb 24 (UNI) The Congress today ruled out any change in the its election manifesto in Nagaland as far as the integration of Naga inhabited areas was concerned.

''There is no question of change in the manifesto as the 16-point agreement adopted several years ago suggests the need to have the integration of all Naga inhabited areas,'' AICC General Secretary, in-charge of Meghalaya and Nagaland, Margaret Alva told reporters here.

The Congress election manifesto for Nagaland had evoked sharp criticism from various political parties and influential NGOs in Manipur.

The manifesto assured the tribal Nagas that it would continue its demand for the implementation of the 16-point agreement of 1960 in ''letter and spirit''.

The agreement highlights the need to have the integration of contiguous Naga areas of the region.

''We will see that at least our demands in this regard are placed before the negotiation committee of both the militant leaders and the Centre,'' Ms Alva said adding that the integration issue will be kept in the form of an agenda to be negotiated and settled.

Asked about the stand of the Congress in Nagaland, Ms Alva said, ''we can not control the freedom and wisdom of the state leadership.

The state leaders are expressing their own aspirations and we need to respect this'', she added.

She also reiterated that all solutions should be within the framework of the constitution.

UNI RRK PC AB NY RK1830