State territory should not figure in peace talk: Joy
Source: The Sangai Express
Imphal, December 21 2011:
Drawing the line, MPP MLA O Joy has today asserted that there is absolutely no ground for the territory of Manipur to feature in the ongoing peace talk between the Government of India and the NSCN(IM).
Moving a call attention during the morning session of the Assembly on the Supra State body for Nagas settled in Manipur, Assam and Arunachal Pradesh, the veteran MPP leader placed before the House media reports on the proposal to form the Supra State body for the Nagas living in Manipur.
Pointing out the media reports, O Joy said that a special federal relationship is what has been envisaged between the Centre and the places tagged to come under the Naga areas and added that this has also been said by the Prime Minister in a public function held at Imphal.
The NSCN (IM) has already made it clear that it wants all the areas which it has termed as Naga inhabited areas under one administrative unit, said O Joy and added that the question of the territory of Manipur should not feature in the ongoing peace parley between the Centre and the NSCN (IM).
Responding to the motion, Chief Minister O Ibobi, who also holds the Home portfolio, said that he has already taken up the matter with the Union Home Minister.
"On the basis of media reports, I had personally met the Union Home Minister and asked him whether a Supra State body has been offered for the Naga inhabited areas.
In his response to my query, P Chidambaram had categorically stated that there was no such proposal from the side of the Government of India," said the Chief Minister.
During his recent visit to the State, the Prime Minister himself had assured that there was no proposal of a Supra State body and had even assured the territorial integrity of Manipur, said the Chief Minister.
As such there is no ground to suspect that the Centre would reneged on its words, said Ibobi.
Stating that the State Government is for an amicable solution to the pending Naga issue, the Chief Minister said that if needed the State Government would extend all help in working out a solution.