Dy CM pins hope on 2016 :: Dialogue with CCpur JAC initiated : Gaikhangam
Source: The Sangai Express

Imphal, December 31 2015 : Even though 2015 saw a series of tumultuous days interspersed with sad events and joyous ones, the new year 2016 is most likely to be peaceful and prosperous for the State of Manipur and her people, exuded Deputy Chief Minister Gaikhangam who is also in charge of Home Department.

Speaking to some media persons today, Gaikhangam remarked that the previous year was an 'exciting' one although many sad and harrowing events took place.

There were many problems/issues and public uproars but the Government carried out many projects including infrastructure development programmes with a firm conviction in both the hills and valley of the State.

The uproar seen in Churachandpur in the jifter-math of the passage of three Bills by the State Assembly for protection of indigenous people on August 31 is likely to be resolved soon, Gaikhangam asserted.

However, bodies of all the nine people who were killed in the course of the public uproar have not been claimed, till date and a peaceful situation still remains elusive in Churachandpur district.

Claiming that a breakthrough has been achieved regarding the impasse, Gaikhangam informed that the Government and the Churachandpur JAC have initiated dialogue since the last couple of days.

The JAC and the Government held a meeting at the Chief Minister's Secretariat a few days back but the two sides could not arrive at any understanding.

Holding dialogue after one side was refusing to come forward for dialogue for a long period is in itself a breakthrough, Gaikhangam remarked.

With the dialogue process already initiated, a solution can be worked out very soon within the possibile limits of mankind, he continued.

On being enquired about the framework agreement signed between the Government of India and NSCN-IM, Gaikhangam asserted that Gol should come out with an unambiguous statement.

The dialogue is a bilateral process and the State Government is not involved at any stage.

The State Government has also been questioning the contents of the frame work agreement as desired by the people of Manipur, he said.

The State Government welcome^ any solution to the protracted issue but it should not impinge upon the interest of Manipur in any manner, asserted the Deputy Chief Minister.

Gol is not expected to create more issues in the name of solving one and Gol is unlikely to go for some impressive but impractical solution.

All political parties leaving aside their differences should work hand in hand to elicit details of the framework agreement, he continued.

To another query about the victory of BJP in the by-election held recently, Gaikhanpam who is also the presides of MPCC maintained that the two candidates won the election on their own strength not because they were BJP candidates or on account of the Modi wave There is no such thing as BJP wave or Modi wave in Manipur.

The two BJP candidates were closer to the public than the Congress candidates, said the Deputy Chief Minister.

If any candidate has limited association with the public, then there is no hope, Gaikhangam stated.

Welcoming the people's verdict, Gaikhangam remarked that the by-election taught a very valuable lesson to Congress party.

To a query about heightened speculation about Ministry reshuffle, Gaikthangam maintained that only the Chief Minister is fit to answer the particular poser.

Regarding the Chief Minister's meeting with Central lead-ers where he was also present, the Deputy Chief Minister said that it was just 'routine' meeting.

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