Naga Peace Accord discussed at Tangjeng Khunou
Source: Hueiyen News Service

Kakching, October 29 2015: As part of the ongoing deliberation "People's Movement for Common Future of Manipur", Chajing Welfare Club, SEMUCO and Star Club, Tangjeng Khunou jointly organised a public discussion on Wednesday last at Tangjeng Khunou in Thoubal District under the aegis of All Manipur United Clubs Organisation (AMUCO), United Committee Manipur (UCM), Committee of Civil Societies Kangleipak (CCSK) .

UNC President Johnson Elangbam; AMUCO Secretary P Gandhi and CCSK President Ph Arjun Telheiba attended the public discussion as presidium members.

Speaking on the occasion, UCM General Secretary YK Dhiren said that the Government of India has been making divergent interpretations of the Naga Peace Accord signed with NSCN (IM) recently to various communities of the State.

Such ambiguous statements can result in disharmony among the communities, said YK Dhiren.

"People of Manipur irrespective of tribes and communities have been living in peace and harmony since time immemorial.

We all should uphold the age-old relationship amidst the plot to divide the people by the Government of India," the UCM General Secretary said.

He said that a six-point memorandum which clearly stated that the territorial integrity of Manipur cannot be compromised under any circumstances was submitted to Government of India's interlocutor to Naga peace talks RN Ravi on September 10 by AMUCO, CCSK and UCM.

UCM President Johnson Elangbam said, "We will not budge from our stand on the NSCN (IM) Peace Accord as stated in the memorandum submitted to RN Ravi during his recent visit to Imphal" .

The memorandum had demanded a white paper on the peace process with the NSCN (IM) from 1997 onwards and also the details of accord.

It has asked the Government of India to respect the distinctive historical identity and political status of Manipur and its multi-cultural pluralistic society based on the principles of co-existence and communal harmony while ensuring integrity of its body-polity, he said.

Manipur, Johnson observed is a multi-ethnic State with people from various communities residing together in peace and harmony, however, many are attempting to create division between the communities.

NSCN (IM) scaled down its demand to Greater Nagaland and now the outfit's General Secretary has been scheming to disintegrate Manipur in search of a political space for himself, alleged the UCM President.

With the possibility of greater Nagaland ruled out, NSCN (IM) may be negotiating for maximum autonomy or political, social or economic empowerment.

But what is disturbing is the refusal to divulge any details of the peace accord by both the parties, pointed out Johnson.

"RN Ravi was saying that something must be given but we are asking what is that should be given to NSCN (IM).

We have heard about Nagalim, supra State, alternative arrangement and greater autonomy", he added.

Very little has been divulged about the possible solution to the Government of India-NSCN (IM) peace talks which has been dragging on since 1997.The framework agreement signed between the two sides on August 3 this year only bred more suspicions and anxiety, he said.

AMUCO, CCSK and UCM have been planning a huge public rally in mid-November in association with like-minded civil society organisations, Johnson informed.

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