Naga People's Front attends crucial meeting but negates resolution claim
All parties meet resolves to protect State's integrity
Source: The Sangai Express

Imphal, October 22 2019: A meeting of all political parties, which was significantly attended by the Naga National Front (NPF), was held today in the Cabinet room of the Chief Minister's office with Chief Minister N Biren in the chair on the recent developments of the Indo-Naga peace talk.

However after the meeting and late in the evening, the NPF clarified that the protection of Manipur territorial integrity (issued as resolution number 1 by the Chief Minister) was not deliberated and taken as a resolution, though opinion was shared by some other parties and included in the final resolution.

Naga People's Front attends crucial meeting but negates resolution claim

The NPF strongly objects the manipulation of the meeting resolution by the Chief Minister Office, said NPF in a statement.

After Chief Minister N Biren apprised representatives of different political parties who attended the meeting held at 4 pm about the recent developments based on media reports and inputs from the Consultative Group on the Indo-Naga peace talk, the meeting resolved to protect the territorial integrity and oneness of the State.

The meeting resolved to send a delegation to New Delhi to submit a memorandum to the Central Government.

The meeting further resolved to constitute a drafting sub-committee under the chairmanship of Deputy Chief Minister Y Joykumar to draft the memorandum.

Other members of the drafting sub-committee are Thangminlien Kipgen (NPP), Dr M Nara (CPI), P Saratchandra (BJP), K Devabrata (MPCC), N Ibohal (LJP), H Gitajen (MPP) and M Tombi (Shiv Sena).

It is said that the meeting was attended by representatives of all political parties active in the State including NPF.

Speaking at the meeting, N Biren stated that the State Government cannot remain silent as Nagaland Governor and Interlocutor RN Ravi had declared that a final settlement to the Indo-Naga peace talk would be inked by the end of the current month.

However, there has been no official communication from the Centre on the latest developments and the State Government has no means to know the details of the peace talk, he said.

The Chief Minister then appealed to all political parties to suggest what the State Government shall do now.

After listening to the Chief Minister, representatives of different political parties suggested that the Central Government should be approached to allow the Government of Manipur to insert its wishes in the final agreement.

Highlighting that Naga people have suffered for a very long time, the NPF representatives appealed to all the political parties to extend support towards bringing a solution to the Naga peace talk.

MNDF representatives said that there is no objection to bringing a solution to the Naga peace talk but the solution should not polarise different communities of Manipur who have been living together since ages.

It is said that the drafting sub-committee would start their work from tomorrow and they would listen to points and suggestions raised by CSOs.