AMUCO asks CM to explain Shinde's comment
Source: The Sangai Express

Imphal, October 13 2012: All Manipur United Clubs' Organisation (AMUCO) has asked the Chief Minister O Ibobi Singh to explain union Home Minister Sushil Kumar shinde's recent comment that the Naga issue is likely to be resolved by March next.

Stating that Ibobi should elaborate to the people on what ground or condition the Naga issue would be resolved, AMUCO also demanded that a special State Assembly session be convened and all the 60 legislators adopt a resolution against any attempt to distort the boundary of Manipur.

Speaking to newspersons at the Kwakeithel office of the Organisation today, AMUCO president KT Rahman expressed that the recent summoning of chief Ministers of Manipur and Arunachal Pradesh in New Delhi followed by the Union Minister's assertion that a solution to the protracted Naga issue is imminent deserved to be explained to the people of Manipur.

The reported joint meeting of the CMs with Sushil kumar Shinde on October 9, and the latter coming out with a declaration that the Naga issue would be resolved before the Nagaland Assembly election needs serious introspection as it concerns interest of Manipur, Rahman said.

It is pertinent to mention that the Central Government is holding talks with leaders of NSCN (IM) to find a solution to the Naga issue.

The rebel group's main agenda is creation of Nagalim by bifurcating Naga-inhabited areas of Manipur, Assam and Arunachal Pradesh.

Noting that Prime Minister Dr Manmohan and UPA Chairperson Sonia Gandhi had already affirmed that there would be no further distortion of Manipur's territory, the AMUCO president said inspite of the two leaders' stand the Home Minister's recent comment is not only confusing the people of Manipur but is also causing serious anxiety.

Cautioning the Centre against any move to stir the people's emotion again, he reminded all concerned that various movements for safeguarding the territorial integrity of Manipur from 1997 till date is a testimony that the people are determined to thwart all attempts to disintegrate Manipur.

Terming the Union Minister's comment as controversial for there it lacks clarity, Rahman reiterated that Chief Minister O Ibobi Singh should explain to the people what transpired at the recent joint meeting and on what condition Sushil Kumar Shinde is claiming that a solution to the Naga issue is imminent.

While alleging that the Central Government had been continuously trying to create division among the hill and valley people of Manipur, he cautioned not taking into account sentiment of the State's masses would be have serious repercussion.

Pointing out that people of both the hill and valley areas had been living together for ages and only through such fraternal bond the State would prosper, Rahman said people of Manipur are already suffering from the forcible merger of the then independent Manipur into the Indian union in October 1949 .

With the people yet to recover from the pangs of the forcible annexation any further distortion of the State's boundary would lead to chaos in the region, he said.

Taking serious note that none of the State legislators had reacted against the Union Minister's comment, Rahman suggested that all the 60 MLAs stand firmly and oppose all move of the Centre to distort Manipur's territorial integrity.

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