Govt's initiative not satisfactory : Ibobi
Source: The Sangai Express

Imphal, October 27 2019: Ex-Chief Minister and CLP leader Okram Ibobi has expressed strong reservation against the BJP-led State Government's initiative with regard to the hectic efforts being made to settle the Indo-Naga peace talk by October 31 .

"Speaking as an ordinary citizen, whatever initiatives taken up by the State Government with regard to the hectic efforts being made to bring a final solution to the Naga peace talk are not satisfactory at all", Ibobi told media persons at Congress Bhavan here this afternoon.

Since Nagaland Governor and Interlocutor RN Ravi announced that a final solution to the Naga peace talk would be brought by October 31, a restive situation has gripped Manipur, Ibobi noted.

Govt's initiative not satisfactory : Ibobi

With a number of CSOs taking out protest rallies every single day, a tense situation has engulfed the whole State.

Manipur has seen dreadful incidents as well as large scale casualties in the course of the 22 years old Indo-Naga peace talk, he said.

There are many issues in the State.

The issue of Inner Line Permit System is one such key issue and it is closely interwoven with the issue of territorial integrity, Ibobi said.

The people of Manipur were hopeful that these crucial issues would be resolved peacefully for there are BJP-led Governments both at the Centre and the State.

There is still time to resolve these issues peacefully, he pointed out.

The all political parties meeting convened by the State Government was too late.

It should have been convened the very next day of RN Ravi's announcement that the final solution to the Naga peace talk would be sealed by October 31."We were expecting that the State Government would consult CSOs promptly and come out with a strong statement that any solution which impinge upon the interest of Manipur will never be accepted under any circumstances.

We were also expecting a proposal from the Government to send an all parties delegation to New Delhi but none of these happened", Ibobi rued.

"As for the Congress party, we wanted to go to Delhi much earlier but the present issue is a common issue for the entire State and we feared that we may be misinterpreted as craving for credit if we go alone ahead of an all political parties' delegation.

With this thought, we were waiting for an invitation from the Government", said the ex-Chief Minister.

Though late, an all political parties meeting was convened and a drafting sub-committee was constituted which has already drafted a memorandum but no joint delegation has been sent to Delhi on the excuse that no appointment with the Prime Minister could be obtained, Ibobi rued.

The issue of territorial integrity is not something new to the Congress party.

When Congress party was in power for 15 consecutive years, all parties delegations were sent to Delhi on several occasions.

Waiting for appointment with the Prime Minister while sitting at Imphal sounds rather awkward, Ibobi remarked.

A large delegation of all political parties must go to Delhi and meet Central leaders.

When strong pressure is exerted from different quarters, the Prime Minister would be compelled to give an appointment.

As shown by their lack of seriousness, it seems the State Government is afraid that the Prime Minister and the Home Minister would rebuke them when they go to Delhi, Ibobi remarked.

There is no one to be feared when the issue is about the State's integrity.

Instead of fearing the Central leaders, the State Government must boldly state its position, Ibobi advised.

Event though no one can say what will unfold tomorrow, extensive and stringent security arrangements can be seen everywhere in the State.

Although Ningol Chakkouba is the most awaited festival in a year, nobody will say anything when the Government says that the same festival may be celebrated some other day in view of the hectic efforts being made by the Government of India to bring a solution to the Indo-Naga peace talk by October 31 which may directly or indirectly destroy the integrity of Manipur, continued the ex-Chief Minister.

He went on to question whether the all parties delegation should never meet the Prime Minister just because no appointment could be obtained.

Congress party cannot sit back just because no appointment has been obtained.

As the party cannot tolerate the delay any more, a memorandum similar to the one drafted by the all parties sub-committee and addressed to the Prime Minister and the Union Home Minister would be handed over to the Governor at 11 am tomorrow, he conveyed.

Newly appointed MPCC president M Okendro said that the dropping the plan to call on the Prime Minister and the Union Home Minister citing Diwali and Ningol Chakkouba festivals is simply unacceptable.

Given the critical situation, Diwali and Ningol Chakkouba festivals have no place in the mind of Congress party, he added.