Civil societies in Manipur protest RN Ravi's statement published on Indian Express
Source: IT News

Imphal, May 17 2018: Representatives and volunteers of United Committee Manipur (UCM), All Manipur United Club Organisation (AMUCO) and CCSK today staged a protest demonstration demanding clarification of the statement reported in National Daily Indian Express in its April 26 issue.

Base on official source, The Indian Express had reported that the Naga Accord is nearly final.

The report also stated that the agreement will not change the boundary of states but will provides autonomous Naga territorial councils for Arunachal and Manipur; a common cultural body for Nagas across states besides setting up of specific institutions for state's development, integration and rehabilitation of non-state Naga militia and the removal of the Armed Forces Special Powers Act.

Civil societies in Manipur protest RN Ravi's statement

Centre's interlocutor, R N Ravi, who signed the framework agreement with National Socialist Council of Nagaland (Isak-Muivah) or NSCN-IM in August 2015, while talking to Indian Express had stated that the accord is nearing final stage and the Indian Express quoted him as saying "Yes, we are pretty close to finalising the (Naga Peace) accord" without saying any comments to the report about the formation of the autonomous Naga territorial councils for Arunachal and Manipur.

Which indicated that the report stands true.

President of AMUCO Ph Devan while speaking to media persons said that the civil society organisation in the state have been waiting for a clarification regarding the statement of RN Ravi which was published in Indian Express, but as there comes no clarification the UCM AMUCO and CCSK staged a protest demanding immediate clarification on the matter while threatening another mass uprising if any modalities to segregate the territorial integrity of the state has been affected.

Civil societies in Manipur protest RN Ravi's statement

Devan also calls on all political party to stand unitedly over the issue as it is for the future of the state and also urged the state government to make a clarification.

Sunil Karam, the new president of the United Committee Manipur while speaking to media persons said that if the reported statement of the interlocutor RN Ravi stands true than people of the state will not remain quiet.

Saying that the statement is against the interest of the people and already the UCM , AMUCO and CCSK had opposed any form of division among the people of the state.

The civil society bodies staged protest at Keishampat leimajam Leikai using banner with slogan to clarify over the statement of RN Ravi.

Placards which urged the Chief Minister of Manipur to clarify the matter as well as threats for June 18 like uprising if the accord affect the territory of the region were displayed during the protest.

Later at around noon the protestor marched a rally towards the Chief Minister Bungalow however they were put to halt in front of Nupi Lal Memoral Complex.

After a bit confrontation with the police team 8 representatives including president of AMUCO Ph Dervan, UCM President Sunil Karam and President of CCSK Jitendra Ningomba were allowed to meet the Chief Minister.

A memoranding demanding immediate clarification have also been submitted to the Prime Minister of India through the Chief Minister.