CSOs censure Rijiju's clarification
Source: The Sangai Express
Imphal, May 24 2018:
Decrying that Union Minister of State for Home Affairs Kiren Rijiju sidelined the matter pertaining to establishment of autonomous Naga territorial councils in Arunachal Pradesh and Manipur, and a common cultural body for Nagas across States when he clarified the statement of GoI's interlocutor RN Ravi on May 3, UCM president Sunil Karam has asserted the Union Minister of State's silence on the two sensitive matters has multiplied people suspicion whether the Framework Agreement has some contents that are detrimental to the interest of Manipur.
Kiren Rijiju only mentioned about the matter of lifting AFSPA, he pointed out.
Speaking to media persons by the sidelines of a sit-in-protest cum public meeting held today at Lamboi Khongnangkhong Mamang Community Hall, Imphal West against the provocative statement made by interlocutor RN Ravi in a National media, Sunil Karam demanded that the full contents of the Framework Agreement be revealed to the people of Manipur now.
RN Ravi's statement totally contradicted the assurances given by Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Union Home Minister Rajnath Singh.
He reminded that a joint team of CSOs from Manipur led by AMUCO, UCM and CCSK had held a campaign in New Delhi and talked with the leaders of both the Government of India and Opposition parties on the Framework Agreement in the month df December last year.
He also said that Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Union Home Minister Rajnath Singh had assured that anything that would harm the territorial boundary and interest of Manipur will not be included in the Framework Agreement and all stake holders will be consulted before finalising any settlement.
Pointing out that Kiren Rijiju only clarified that AFSPA will not be lifted from Nagaland and mentioned nothing about establishment of autonomous Naga territorial councils in Arunachal Pradesh and Manipur, and a common cultural body for Nagas across States when he clarified on the assertion made by RN Ravi, Suhil asked why the Minister had sidelined the two sensitive matters.
He said that RN Ravi had also mentioned about lifting AFSPA from Nagaland in addition to establishment of autonomous Naga territorial councils in Arunachal Pradesh and Manipur and a common cultural body for Nagas across States among other points before Rijiju clarified on May 3.He lamented that the Prime Minister has not clarified anything on the statement made by RN Ravi till today despite the fact that AMUCO, UCM and CCSK have been demanding an unambiguous clarification on behalf of the people of Manipur.
Terming the statement of RN Ravi as an attempt to bring communal disharmony among various communities residing in the State, he condemned the same statement in the strongest manner and demanded the Prime Minister and the Union Home Minister to clarify whether the statement of RN Ravi is official or not.
He also warned that there may be a much more ferocious civil uprising than the civil uproar of June, 2001 if the Government of India has been working on any solution which is inimical to the interest of Manipur.
Such sit-in-protest cum public meeting will continue in different parts of the State until the Prime Minister and the Union Home Minister give a clear cut clarification on the statement of interlocutor RN Ravi, he added.
Leaders of various CSOs and local people of Lamboi Khongnangkhong also took part at the sit-in-protest cum public meeting.
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