Govt waiting for status report on NPF from ECI: CM Ibobi
'No need to worry about Supra State Body'
Source: Hueiyen News Service

Imphal, December 21 2011: A status report on whether the Naga People's Front (NPF), which has its branches here in the state of Manipur, is constitutional or not will be issued by the Election Commission of India (ECI) by tomorrow, said Chief Minister O Ibobi replying to a Calling attention motion moved by Opposition MLA, O Joy on the floor of the House today.

The NPF, a political Party, with roots in Nagaland, in its Constitution, clearly states that it would work towards bringing all Naga inhabited areas under one administrative unit and also mentions about Naga citizens.

Taking these into consideration a motion was moved in the House terming NPF as unconstitutional and pressing for review of recognition by ECI.

Responding to the motion, Chief Minister said that the state government had minutely discussed the constitution of the NPF and prohibited the Party from setting its foot on the soil of Manipur.

But since the Party said that it has changed its Constitution, its entry to Manipur was permitted.

He further stated that the state government has urged the ECI team who recently visited the State to make available the status report of NPF, during the Assembly Session.

Manipur Chief Minister - Okram Ibobi

According to the status report furnished by the ECI, the status of NPF, whether it is constitutional or not will be known and accordingly a report will be sent to the Central government.

Moving the motion on the floor of the House, Opposition MLA, O Joy questioned the integrity of ECI for giving its recognition to the NPF as a regional party, fully aware of the fact that the Party's constitution clearly mentioned that all Naga inhabited areas will be placed under one administrative unit and that only Naga citizens can be members of the party.

As a democratic country, India does not recognize double citizenship in the country.

There is also no such thing recognized by the Constitution of India as Naga citizen, Manipur citizen, Bengal citizen and so on.

Therefore the recognition granted by ECI to NPF is not tenable.

Responding to another Calling Attention Motion, the Chief Minister reminded the House of the assurances of Prime Minister and Union Home Minister and told the House that there is no provision of creating a Supra State Body for the Nagas and stated that there is no need to worry over the matter.

Continuing his reply to the Calling Attention Motion moved by MPP MLA O Joy, the Chief Minister said that he himself enquired about the issue as soon as the report was published in the media.

The Union Home Minister Chidambaram denied the report and stating that it was not true.

He again sent letters to the Prime Minister and Union Home Minister when another media report came up regarding the matter and told them that he will not allow the territorial integrity of the state to be compromised at any cost.

The state government has also been enquiring about the progress of the Indo-Naga peace talk from time to time through representatives of India government.

He has been also telling those representatives about the sensitiveness of the issue in the state and that it has the potential of setting aflame the whole state instantly, the CM said.

Prime Minister Manmohan Singh had also assured the people of the state that there is no provision of a Supra State Body for the Nagas in his speech in the Kangla.

Above all, the state government is standing firmly against any threat to the territorial integrity of the state.

On the other hand, the Chief Ministers of Assam and Arunachal Pradesh are also firmly against the creation of a supra state.

Even though it is important for the people of the state to stay alert, there is no reason to panic in the present situation, Ibobi said while adding that he had firm belief in the Government of India regarding the integrity of the state.

MLA O Joy said that the media report of possible Supra State Body for Nagas as Christmas gifts sparked protest and created a sense of apprehension in the state.

Meanwhile, some sections of people are still furious on the assurance of the Prime Minister of India on the territorial integrity of the state.

Stating that the Indian constitution does not interfere in the culture and identity of the Nagas, Joy said that the matter of a Supra State Body is not an acceptable one.