Assam is firm in protecting its territory

Guwahati, Jul 26 (UNI) The Assam government today reiterated its opposition to any demand of sacrificing state's territory.

"The Assam government can never compromise on the state's boundary," government spokesperson and Cabinet Minister Dr Himanta Biswa Sharma said.

He was responding to reports that the UPA government was considering a demand for creation of a greater Nagalim, a demand by the Naga people residing in other states contiguous to Nagaland.

The demands refer to some territory of Assam state.

The issue had cropped up again after the Outer Manipur constituency MP had said during a debate on trust vote that the UPA government had assured him of re-examining clauses in the Common Minimum Programme, including rewarding of territorial integrity of NE states.

Earlier, Assam Chief Minister Tarun Gogoi had rejected any suggestion of parting with state's territory.

Reaffirming Mr Gogoi's stand, Dr Sharma said, "as long as Congress is in power in Assam, its land will never be compromised." He said Prime Minister Monmohan Singh and UPA chairperson Sonia Gandhi were 'compassionate towards Assam, especially as Dr Singh represents the state in Rajya Sabha.

The minister also quoted reports where the Manipur MP had said that he had not referred to Assam's territory and added that a controversy and confusion should not be worked up over a non-issue.

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