Cong clarifies party's abstinence from all parties' endeavour
Let NPF state stand on integrity: Ibobi
Source: The Sangai Express

Imphal, November 26 2017: Categorically clarifying that it was NPF's ambiguity and doublespeak on the question of safeguarding the State's integrity which put away Congress party from the all political parties' endeavour, particularly the memorandum drafting sub-committee, ex-Chief Minister and Congress Legislature Party leader Okram Ibobi said that their party would join the all parties' endeavour if either BJP or NPF makes the latter ' s position on the integrity question clear.

Ibobi was speaking at a protest demonstration held today at Kakching Keithel under Kakching Block Congress Committee demanding disclosure of the contents of the Framework Agreement.

The Government of India signed the Framework Agreement on August 3,2015 in a very secretive manner and its contents have not been revealed till date.

Taking due note of the growing apprehension about the possible impacts of any solution worked out between New Delhi and NSCN-IM based on the Framework Agreement to the integrity of Manipur, a meeting of all political parties was held beings after all", he said.

Mentioning the unfortunate incident that happened in 2010 at Mao gate and the previous misunderstandings among different communities in the State, the Chief Minister stated, "We should not let it happen again in future and Even as all political parties pledged their commitment to safeguard the integrity of Manipur, NPF's position on the same issue remains quite ambiguous and dubious, Ibobi said.

There is still time.

If either BJP or its coalition partner NPF states the latter's position in clear cut terms on the question of protecting Manipur's integrity, Congress party would join the memorandum drafting subcommittee and its leaders/ members would form a part of the delegation which would submit a memorandum to the Prime Minister, Ibobi stated.

At first, NSCN-IM was demanding independence but it scaled down its demand to Greater Nagalim.

But after realising that Greater Nagalim we should stand united in spite of subscribing different political ideologies and religious doctrines" .

Stating that the new Government has been working with a humane approach, the Chief Minister claimed that the motto of the new Government could not be realised, they are now demanding a different arrangement, said the ex-Chief Minister "NPF is a political party supported by NSCN-IM and recognised by the Election Commission of India.

The party's constitution pledges that it would work for integration of Naga inhabited areas under a single administrative roof.

Congress does not see either NSCN-IM or NPF as its enemies but Congress party would not tolerate any challenge to the integrity of Manipur and its territorial boundary, Ibobi swore.

It is being speculated that pan Naga body or financial autonomy or a similar arrangement may be the central feature of any solution ment is 'give love to others then you will receive love from them' .

The love and affection of the people towards the new Government is tremendous, he added.

He further mentioned that Union Minister for Framework Agreement.

Any such arrangement is akin to creation of a State within a State and it is nothing but sowing seeds for disintegration of Manipur, Ibobi stated.

Noting that local BJP leaders have been blaming Congress party for harping on the Framework Agreement and creating an issue out of it, Ibobi remarked that such casual dismissal of such a critical issue only shows that the BJP leaders are not insightful enough.

Even though there were Congress Governments in Manipur, Arunachal Pradesh and Assam when the Framework Agreement was signed, there are now BJP Governments in all the three States.

None of the State Governments of Assam, Arunachal Pradesh and Manipur were informed when the Framework Agreement was signed.

"BJP leaders have been claiming that the Framework Agreement does not contain anything which implies that they know the contents of the Framework Agreement, and we are mobilising a mass movement demanding disclosure of the same contents", Ibobi continued.

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