I have been prompted to write this after reading the "Rejoinder to Peace accord vis-a-vis future challenges" by T.A. Ngullie, Ex-Finance Minister, in reference to an article written by Dr. S.C. Jamir, Governor of Odhisha, in which he claimed, I quote- " The NEC was formed because of my personal discussions with former Prime Minister, Lt Indira Gandhi, during 1981-82 with the suggestion to form a Committee to look into the common development activities in the North East."
The idea for formation of the North Eastern Council was conceived some time in 1968 and it was established on 1st August 1972. Such a long period was taken because the idea created mists of suspicion and icebergs of instinctive dislike of central authority in the States and Union Territories of the region. We thought that the Central Government was inventing a device with a view to imposing its will on the States and Union Territories in North East India. The Centre took a long time to convince us (North East Leaders) that it had no such intention and that the North Eastern Council would be primarily an Advisory Body and that the States and Union Territories were at liberty to be or not to be members of the council. Even such an unambigious assurance did not dispel fears. The first meeting of the Council was inaugurated by the Prime Minister on 7th November, 1972.
Nagaland did not join at first. During our NNO Govt. time we feared that full-fledge State status would be reduced if we join in the NEC, and therefore decided not to join. But during the President Rule, after 20th May 1975, one of the advisors of the Governor represented Nagaland in the N.E.C meeting with the consent of all political parties in Nagaland. And the following roads were taken up as first projects under the N.E.C :- 1. Mon-Namtola-Sonari, (2) Amguri-Mokokchung (3) Wokha-Merapani road. The Naginimora-Wakching-Mon--Tobu-Tuensang road and Mariani-Mokokchung road were taken up by the Border Roads Organisation under Defence and not under the North Eastern Council programme.
Chingwang Konyak Former Minister and Former Member of Parliament (Lok Sabha)
