Narendra Modi will never play Nehru
- Imphal Times Editorial :: November 17 2017 -

Apprehension about the outcome of the Frame Work Agreement has once more haunted the people of Manipur.

Back in 2001, Manipur was on flame, 18 lives lost, schools, colleges and even government offices remain shut for over 3 months- as people upraised against the inclusion of three words – “without territorial limits”, to the cease fire agreement signed between the government of India and the NSCN-IM, later known as the ‘Bangkok declaration’.

August, 1997, Manipur witnessed a mass rally here in Imphal, warning the central government about the probable consequences of any attempt to bifurcate the state of Manipur.

If one recalls the pre-merger period, after the then Maharajah of Manipur signed the Instrument of accession, there was a strong opposition from the people of the state when the then government of India attempted to merge three region including Manipur to form Purbachand Pradesh.

To Manipuris, safeguarding their land inherited from their ancestors is the inborn duty. Loves for their motherland has run to the blood of every Manipuri.

Well, having known all this fact, Prime Minister Narendra Modi, will never commit another mistake to burn the state.

Then Why is the people showing serious concerns to the Frame Work Agreement?

A rewinding of the history will definitely tell why.

Of now, no persons, except the Prime Minister or perhaps the Home Minister and Mr. RN. Ravi the interlocutor of the India Government negotiating the NSCN-IM and the leadership of the outfit knows what the contents are in Frame work agreement.

However, one thing that is certain now is that the Frame Work Agreement is not going to make any change to the boundary of any states viz, Manipur, Assam, Arunachal Pradesh.

This is being said as the whole country had heard Prime Minister Narendra Modi and other leaders of the Government of India have assured time and again that boundary of Manipur will not be affected while solving the vex Naga issue put up by NSCN-IM.

Then what could have been expected, if this Frame Work Agreement is finalized and settled.

Well, leaving aside all sort of terminology, definitely – a greater autonomy is likely as the only means in addition to some package.

Whatever it may be, if this solution for the NSCN-IM is tabled in the floor of the parliament for debate, it would be somewhat ok.

But then, if Prime Minister Narendra Modi bypass the parliament and inked the agreement by a Presidential order then , Mr. Modi is playing the role of former Prime Minister Jawaharlal Nehru.

Late Nehru signed an agreement with the then Prime Minister of Jammu and Kashmir Sheik Abdulah called “Delhi Agreement” and added the article 35 A to the constitution of India.

While adding this provision to the constitution of India; it was never presented to the floor of the parliament.

That is why an NGO challenged the validity of this article to the Supreme Court in 2014 on the ground that it was not done under the purview of the Article 368.

The unity of India is threatened by the addition of Article 370, as Jammu and Kashmir exist as a more alike full-fledged country inside the country India.

Kashmir is the only state in the country which has full autonomy in the whole of the country, but this state which is a part of India is also the only trouble state that gives India a big headache.

The sixteen point demand put up in the Naga Accord by the NNC also contain also contain a similar autonomy structure in par with that of Jammu and Kashmir.

But, except those contain in article 371 A the very demand of J&K like autonomy was never fulfilled.

In case of Manipur, Article 371 C has been incorporated for becoming the state of India, which has only a provision to safeguard the tribal people of the state.

The special provisions provided to J& K has now promulgated a movement of secession from the Union of India.

Similarly, the privilege provided under Article 371 C has now promulgated an issue to bifurcate Manipur if not by dividing the territorial boundary then by separating the administration.

It is no doubt that the essence of patriotism and love for the nation still runs through the blood of Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

And it is expected that Mr. Narendra Modi will never play Late Prime Minister Jawarhalal Nehru to the solving of the vex issue of NSCN-IM