RN Ravi lands at Imphal, details of meeting with various CSOs not divulged
Apex CSOs reject ethnicity based arrangement
Source: The Sangai Express

Imphal, September 10 2015 : Apex civil society organisations of the State including AMUCO and UCM have categorically stated that any cultural and administrative arrangement on the basis of ethnicity is unacceptable as it directly tantamounts to communal and sectarian demarcation of aspirations and voices of smaller communities of Manipur.

Government of India's Joint Intelligence Committee Chairman and NSCN-IM interlocutor RN Ravi arrived here today and held a meeting with Chief Minister O Ibobi apart from interacting with leaders of different civil society organisations.

Earlier in the morning, RN Ravi held a meeting with leaders of the UNC at Hotel Classic.

The details of the meeting are however not available.

After holding a meeting with Chief Minister O Ibobi at 2 pm, RN Ravi interacted with leaders of AMUCO, UCM and the Committee of Civil Societies, Kangleipak (CCSK) at the same hotel.

RN Ravi speaking to newsmen at the airport (L) and the protest against his visit (R)

He also held separate meetings with representatives of the International Meitei Forum and the High Court Bar Association, Manipur.

On his arrival at Imphal airport, RN told media persons that he was here to consult civil society organisations of the State.

He stated that the Government of India would listen to all stake holders.

"Peace has to be for every one.

We will try to bring a comprehensive peace", he said.

AMUCO, UCM and CSSK submitted a memorandum to the interlocutor.

The memorandum was jointly signed by AMUCO president Dr Y Mani Khuman, UCM president Elangbam Johnson and CCSK president P Arjun.

After their meeting with RN Ravi, Elangbam Johnson said that they have submitted a memorandum but he was reluctant to divulge details of what transpired during the meeting.

The memorandum asserted that the people of Manipur have every right to know the entire peace process going on between GoI and NSCN-IM that might directly or indirectly affect Manipur's historical and political status.

The GoI should produce a white paper on the peace process with NSCN-IM from 1997 onwards and also the details of the framework agreement signed on August 3 .

The GoI should respect the distinctive historical identity and political status of Manipur and the pluralistic society is based on the principle of co-existence and communal harmony while ensuring integrity of its body polity, reads the memorandum.

Political aspirations and socio-economic advancement of all the ethnic communities of the State of Manipur be ensured and protected within the administrative jurisdiction of Manipur.

Any cultural and administrative arrangement on the basis of ethnicity is unacceptable as it directly tantamounts to communal and sectarian demarcation of aspirations and voices of smaller communities in Manipur, asserted the memorandum.

"We acknowledge and extend solidarity to the struggles and sacrifices of the Naga people in Nagaland and the same is expected from the people of Nagaland to the people of Manipur", read the final point of the memorandum.