Cong opposes move to abrogate Article 371(A)

DIMAPUR, Jun 10 : Nagaland Congress has observed that Article 371(A) of the Constitution of India which protects the rights of the Naga people was an agreement of accession of the State to the Union of India.

Reacting to the reports of possibility of abrogation of the Article 371 (A) by the BJP-led National Democratic Alliance (NDA) Government, former president of Nagaland Pradesh Congress Committee (NPCC) KV Pusa said Article 371(A) was an article of faith and accession of Nagas to the Union of India and that any attempt to rewrite or abrogate the Article would tantamount to abrogation of Statehood agreement signed in 1960, which is known as 16-Point Agreement.

The Congress leader suggested the parties engaged in dialogue to hammer out a solution to the protracted Naga political problem. He said any solution below the 16-Point Agreement would not only complicate the Naga issue but would amount to betrayal of the Naga issue. Any solution should be above Article 371(A) of the Constitution. There should be a solution which is honourable and acceptable to all sections of people, Pusa insisted.