Chief Minister urges COCOMI to lift boycott of Sangai Festival
Centre considering a clause for NE in CAB : CM
Source: The Sangai Express / DIPR

Imphal, November 27 2019: Chief Minister N Biren Singh has urged the Coordinating Committee on Manipur Integrity (COCOMI) to lift its boycott on Manipur Sangai Festival as the Government has fulfilled their demands of calling a State Assembly session as well as fixing an appointment with Union Home Minister Amit Shah.

He made the appeal while addressing a press conference held at the Durbar Hall of the Chief Minister's Secretariat today.

The 18 member COCOMI team returned to Imphal today.

Biren said that people should not take Manipur Sangai Festival as just a simple event, which is organised for merrymaking and entertainment alone.

The Chief Minister added that the festival serves as an opportunity for the State to explore ways of boosting the State's economy.

Chief Minister urges COCOMI to lift boycott of Sangai Festival

Stating that Manipur Sangai Festival is organised for the future of the people of Manipur, Biren said that it is not only a pride for Manipur but also a platform to promote the identity of the State to the world.

Regarding the meeting of COCOMI team with Union Home Minister Amit Shah, Biren stated that despite his busy schedules due to the ongoing Parliament session and political developments in Maharashtra and Jharkhand, Amit Shah gave the appointment for the meeting acknowledging the significance of the grievances and demands raised by the people of Manipur.

During the meeting that lasted around one hour, COCOMI leaders had the opportunity to apprise the Union Home Minister about all the grievances and apprehensions of Manipuri people due to the ongoing Naga peace talks.

The CM further said that after patiently hearing the points raised by COCOMI representatives, the Union Home Minister once again gave them a concrete assurance stating that the Centre would not do anything detrimental to Manipur's interest in any manner while bringing a final solution to the Naga peace process.

Regarding COCOMI's demand for a written assurance, the Home Minister told them that no such assurance had been given to anybody regarding any issue so far, the Chief Minister said adding that Amit Shah instead requested the COCOMI team to have trust in his commitment given in the presence of the Chief Minister, Ministers and high ranking officials.

The Union Home Minister also told them that the Central Government would call them again for consultation if anything, which appears to be going against the interest of Manipuri people, emerges during negotiations with the Nagas.

Regarding COCOMI's demand to the State Government for convening an Assembly session, the Chief Minister said that the Winter Session of Manipur Legislative Assembly would be convened by December 20.As both their demands had been fulfilled, COCOMI should also keep their words and lift the boycott without waiting till November 29 in the larger interest of the State, he observed.

After the meeting with COCOMI representatives, Biren said that he had a separate discussion regarding Citizenship Amendment Bill (CAB) as well with the Union Home Minister.

He said that during the meeting, Amit Shah informed him that the Centre is considering to insert a separate clause for the protection of indigenous people of the North East.

Stating that the present State Govt would never remain a silent spectator when anything detrimental to the State's interest and indigenous people happens, N Biren Singh urged the people to have trust in the Govt.Deputy CM Y Joykumar, Works Minister Th Biswajit, PHE Minister L Dikho, Forest Minister Th Shyamkumar, Agriculture Minister V Hangkhanlian, Manipur State Planning Board Deputy Chairman S Rajen, Manipur Pollution Control Board Chairman K Radhakishore, Tourism Chairman Dr S Ranjan and MLAs K Indrajit, Ashab Uddin, Th Satyabrata, S Subhashchandra and Ksh Biren were also present at the press conference.