NSCN(IM)-GoI peace accord Assembly resolves to safeguard territorial integrity
Source: The Sangai Express

Imphal, August 31 2015: While welcoming the peace accord signed between NSCN-IM and the Government of India on August 3, the Manipur Legis-lative Assembly has adopted a resolution which categorically stated that the peace accord should not impinge upon the territorial integrity and admi-nistration of the State of Manipur.

The peace accord deserves appreciation as it is expected to bring peace in the North East region.

Nonetheless, the House resolved to urge the Government of India to ensure that all stake holders specially Manipur are taken into confidence and transparency is brought into the peace process, and no fresh discord is sown while attempting to settle an existing one.

To urge the Union Government to cause to amend Article 3 of the Constitution of India by incorporating the phrase "prior consent of the State Legislature of the affected State(s) shall be mandatory while forming new States and alteration of areas, boundaries or names of existing States" and it was the third resolution adopted at the Manipur Legislative Assembly today.

Chief Minister O Ibobi who is also the leader of the House raised a motion for due deliberation and adoption of the three resolutions by all the Members of the House.

Taking part in discussing the motion, NPF MLAs Dikho, Samuel Risom and Nunghlung Victor while lauding the peace accord signed on August 3, maintained that the peace accord does not pose any threat to the integrity of Manipur.

Making uncorroborated comments and remarks without knowing details of the peace accord would be premature, they said.

They also commended the three resolutions tabled before the House.

MLA Th Shyamkumar too asserted that the peace accord has no clause which challenges the integrity of Manipur.

Any peace process with any group including NSCN-IM should be welcomed.

The State Government has already enquired the Government of India about the peace accord and it (peace accord) has no element which would balkanise Manipur.

Still then people are suspicious about the contents of the House.

As such, the House ought to pass all the resolutions moved by the Chief Minister, Shyamkumar said.

Maintaining all the MLAs present at the House belong to Manipur, Karam Shyam declared that he would resign from the post of MLA if the peace accord infringes upon the integrity of Manipur.

Pointing out that India is a Union of States, Dr Kh Ratankumar asserted that any peace accord based on the interest of a single community would never last long.

Chief Minister O Ibobi stated that he raised the three resolutions as the full text of the peace accord is still inaccessible which is only evoking deep suspicion among the masses.

Manipur is often called a mini-India in view of the numerous communities which inhabit the land together.

The three resolutions were being tabled in the collective interest of Manipur, not in the interest of any single community.

Later, all the three resolutions were unanimously passed by the House.

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