Peace talk sowing seeds of divide : AMUCO
Source: The Sangai Express

Imphal, October 14 2016: Stating that the ongoing political dialogue between the Government of India and the NSCN (IM) has sown more seeds of divide, AMUCO today said that the long time (more than 16 years) it has taken for the talks to bear fruits must be due to the reason that it is against the aspirations of the people of Manipur.

The guns may have gone silent between the NSCN (IM) and the Government of India but in the process this has sown the seeds of divide amongst the people, said AMUCO in a statement.

The most apt example is the manner in which the contents of the Framework Agreement are being kept under wraps with the people not really knowing what it is all about, observed AMUCO.

This is a clear reflection of the insincerity of the Government of India which does not believe in transparency.

In connection with the ongoing talk, Interlocutor RN Ravi has come to Manipur twice, said AMUCO and added that despite this it is still not clear whether the Government of India is ready to respect the aspirations of the people of Manipur.

Adding to the suspicion of the people is the talk that while the territory of Manipur will remain intact, there will be two administrative set ups, one for the valley and another for the hills.

Two administrative set ups is akin to breaking up the State, added the statement.

Such a suspicion has come about because it is not uncommon for the numerous civil society organisations of the Nagas to talk that the hills will be administered directly by Delhi under the Governor and all the resources will be at the disposal of the Naga people.

Delhi also seems to agree with this proposal, alleged AMUCO.

All these have added to the suspicion of the people.

Laying down its opinion on the issue, AMUCO said that anything may be given as an outcome of the ongoing peace process, but it should not affect Manipur in any way.

Therefore all the natural resources within the political map of Manipur belong to the people and not to any particular community, said the statement.

Manipur is home to about 40 community and cannot be the homeland of any particular community.

As such the demand of any community for greater autonomy like homeland will be opposed by the people of Manipur, it added.

Delhi should acknowledge this fact, said AMUCO and added that if this not heeded then the outcome of the peace talk will be devoid of meaning.

AMUCO will oppose any machination that can affect the territory of Manipur, it said and added that it will extend all co-operation to any move to look into the needs of the hill people.

All the differences which have reared its ugly head can be addressed to unitedly, said AMUCO.

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