Ibobi lashes BJP for double speak
Source: The Sangai Express
Imphal, November 15 2017:
Former Chief Minister and Congress MLA Okram Ibobi today stated that though the BJP Government promised to work with accountability and transparency it has refused to disclose the contents of Frame Work Agreement that was signed between the BJP Government at Centre and NSCN (IM) despite public demand since the time of signing the agreement.
He was addressing a public meeting organized as part of the sit-in-protest held today against the non-disclosure of the contents of Frame Work Agreement at Durga
Puja Mandop, Mayang Imphal Bazar, Imphal West.
The protest was organized by Mayang Imphal Block Congress Committee.
Stating that both the BJP Government at the Centre and State as well as Prime Minister Narendra Modi have claimed of signing the agreement as a solution designed as "once for all" to bring peace, Ibobi demanded the BJP Government to disclose the contents of the Frame Work Agreement.
He further said that the refusal to disclose the contents ofFrame Work Agreement and the consistent demand ofNSCN (IM) for creating a Greater Nagaland under a single administrative unit have provoked a high suspicion in the minds of public that it may contain something that will harm thd interest of the State.
Reminding that Congress party at the Centre had carried out peace talks with NSCN (IM) during its tenure, Ibobi asserted that his party has no objection to bringing any solution that will bring permanent solution to the insurgency movement ofNSCN (IM) and welcome every step that wilt usher in peace.
However, the Congress feels that the Frame Work Agreement may contain something that could harm the State's interest as the BJP Government at the Centre has consistently refused to disclose the contents of the agreement/accord even when the public are demanding since long time back. The Congress Government at different periods and under different leaderships did not bring any harmful consequences to any of the States in India although it had signed many-accords, including Mizoram Accord, Punjab Accord and Assam Accord.
Rather, these accords brought peaceful settle-ment to many critical issues, Ibobi pointed out.
He went on to point out that Rajiv Gandhi, during his rule had rejected the proposal of forming Greater Mizoram by merging Churachandpur district of Manipur into Mizoram and instead brought a peaceful settlement by handing over the Chief Minister portfolio to the then leader of the Mizo insurgency movement. He observed that earmarking of huge budget and sanctions for development in the areas where militancy problems came out could be the positive and effective ways to shun militancy problem. Noting that Congress Government during its rule has made certain ground rules regarding ceasefire agreement and while carrying out peace talk with NSCN (IM), the former Chief Minister mentioned that peace talk should be confined only in Nagaland and the NSCN (IM) cadres should live in their designated camps. Observing that if administrative autonomy, financial au tonomy or cultural autonomy is to any parts of the State the.
State would be bifurcated and there will be "State within a State" which will be detrimental, cautioned the former Child Minister. Ibobi asked all to appreciate and welcome any step taken up by any political party, including BJP when they do good works. He also claimed that many of the projects and constructions that are now inaugurated by BJP Government were initiated by his Government while asking whether the Narendra Modi, led Government at the Centre has given anything for the Aci East Policy after it has been renamed from the previous Look East Policy. While lauding the Mayang Imphal Congress Block Com mittee for organizing the sit-in-protest, Ibobi appreciated the supporters and public for making the protest a grand success and further sought public cooperation beyond political border in their effort to save the integrity of Manipur.
Many Congress MLAs and leaders including former Deputy Chief Minister Gaikhangam, MPCC president TN Haokip, Govidas Konthoujam and Mayang Imphal's ex-MLA Kh Ratan took part in the programme.
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