Campaign for common future marches on
Source: The Sangai Express
Imphal, October 27 2015:
As part of the ongoing People's Movement for Common Future of Manipur, a public meeting was held today at Kangchup Chingkhong ground under the aegis of the AMUCO, UCM, Committee of Civil Societies Kangleipak (CCSK) and Rural United Clubs' Association (RUCA) .
AMUCO vice-president Ph Deban, CCSK general secretary Jitendra Ningomba, UCM vice-president Sunil Karam and former ADC Member SK Vaiphei attended the meeting as presidium members.
Speaking at the gathering UCM general secretary YK Dhiren said that the meeting was organised with a view to launch a collective movement against possible impacts of the framework agreement signed by Government of India and NSCN-IM on the future of Manipur and the age-old relationship shared different communities of the State.
After a six-point memorandum which clearly stated that the territorial integrity of Manipur cannot be compromised under any circumstances was submitted to GoI's interlocutor RN Ravi on September 10 by AMUCO, CCSK and UCM, a public meeting was held at Hotel Imphal on October 10 .
Very little has been divulged about the possible solution to the GoI-NSCN-IM peace talk which has been dragging on since 1997.The framework agreement signed between the two sides on August 3 this year only bred more suspicions and anxiety, Dhiren said.
He then appealed to all the people of Manipur to be always on guard so that they do not fall prey to any conspiracy.
It is crucial to identify those elements who have been scheming relentlessly to disintegrate Manipur in order to defeat their malicious plan.
AMUCO, CCSK and UCM have been planning a huge public rally in mid-November in association with like-minded civil society organisations.
CCSK president Advocate P Arjun remarked that from Naga sovereignty, NSCN-IM scaled down its demand to greater Nagaland and now the outfit's general secretary has been scheming to disintegrate Manipur in search of a political space for himself.
With the possibility of greater Nagaland ruled out, NSCN-IM may be negotiating for maximum autonomy and/or political, social or economic empowerment.
But what is disturbing is the refusal to divulge any detail of the peace accord by both the parties.
"RN Ravi was saying that something must be given but we are asking what is that should be given to NSCN-IM.
We have heard about Nagalim, supra State, alternative arrangement and greater autonomy", Arjun said.
However, very little has been talked about special economic package for the hill districts of Manipur which would be acceptable to all stake holders.
"Our stand is very clear.
Manipur's territorial integrity should not be disturbed under any circumstances.
To us, breaking apart India is a better option than disintegrating Manipur", he continued.
COHR chairman Phulindro Konsam remarked that the dialogue would not bring anything positive and this is indicated by the way how the peace accord is being kept as a closely guarded secret.
Manipur is not exclusive for any single community.
It is the common home for all the indigenous communities.
The dialogue between NSCN-IM and GoI may have serious ramifications on Manipur politically, economically and socially.
Even if it is presumed that maximum autonomy is granted on ethnic line at the cost of Manipur's territorial, emotional and administrative integrity, benefits of such an arrangement would be reaped only by a handful of leaders or elites.
"As such, we must not tolerate any challenge to the territorial and administrative integrity of Manipur", Phulindro asserted.
UCM president Konsam Langamba said that any attempt to write the 'unique Naga history' by obliterating the 2000 year old history of Manipur is not acceptable.
GoI should always keep in mind that Manipur cannot be sacrificed in order to appease NSCN-IM.
Creation of new administrative boundaries on ethnic line within the territorial boundary of Manipur is also not acceptable, Langamba added.
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