Centre has initiated security meeting on blockade : State BJP ; BJP hopeful of positive outcome
Source: The Sangai Express

Imphal, November 24 2016: Claiming that the Government of India has initiated security meeting on the 24 days old economic blockade being imposed by the United Naga Council, BJP Manipur Pradesh has exuded confidence that a positive outcome can be expected soon.

Speaking to media persons at their Nityaipat Chuthek office today, BJP spokesman and ex-MLA N Biren said that four delegates of BJP Manipur Pradesh went to Delhi and apprised Union Home Minister Rajnath Singh about the adverse impact of the protracted economic blockade apart from submitting a memorandum signed by the party's State unit president Ksh Bhabananda.

It was also learnt that Chief Minister O Ibobi had met Rajnath Singh and submitted a memorandum.

Centre has initiated security meeting on blockade : State BJP

While pointing out that law and order is a State subject, Biren remarked that the Chief Minister's memorandum did not mention anything concrete about what the State Government would like the Central Government to do and this was conveyed by the Union Home Minister to the State BJP delegation.

Rajnath Singh maintained that the Central Government would not intervene in the issue as there was no formal proposal from the State Government.

The Chief Minister's memorandum did ask the Central Government to persuade the UNC to lift the economic blockade.

Rajnath Singh responded to the memorandum by questioning what was the UNC.

Maintaining that the Central Government did not recognise the UNC, Rajnath went on to ask whether the Central Government should meet all the NGOs based in Manipur.

If the State Government deems the UNC as an unlawful organisation and a frontal organisation of NSCN-IM, the State Government may adopt a decision and recommend it to the Government of India, Biren suggested.

The State Government did not say anything concrete like NSCN-IM was involved in the economic blockade or army should be instructed to ensure that all NSCN-IM cadres are confined within their designated camps or additional military forces should be sent to Manipur.

The Chief Minister only gave an account of the economic blockade and the resultant situation.

As such, the Central Government was unable to intervene, Biren conveyed as stated by the Union Home Minister.

Nonetheless, the Central Government, taking serious note of the adverse impact of the economic blockade, has convened a security meeting with interlocutor for NSCN-IM political dialogue RN Ravi.

A positive outcome can be expected soon, Biren asserted.

The State BJP team too urged the Union Home Minister to intervene into the issue in the larger interest of all sections of people of Manipur, Biren added.

BJP Manipur Pradesh general secretary and MLA Th Bishwajit too maintained that the Chief Minister did not make any concrete proposal like additional paramilitary forces should be sent to Manipur or the blockade should be neutralised at any cost.

With the incumbent Government bowing to the diktats of some organisations like UNC, it appeared that there is no Government in Manipur.

He went on to question the implication of Home Minister Gaikhangam's reported appeal to the people of Manipur to bear the inconveniences of the blockade for some more time.

BJP condemns such irresponsible statements of the State Government, he added.

BJP Manipur Pradesh spokesman RK Shivachandra and media secretary L Basanta were also present at the press meet.