Will sustain agitation until FA contents disclosed: Ibobi
Source: The Sangai Express

Moirang, November 17 2017: Chief Minister and Congress Legislature Party leader O Ibobi said that the agitation demanding disclosure of the contents of the Framework Agreement signed between Gol and NSCN-IM will be sustained until the contents of FA are made known to the public.

Addressing a sit-in protest demanding disclosure of the contents of FA at Bishnupur bazar organised by Bishnupur Block Congress Committee under the auspices of MPCC, former CM O Ibobi said the Congress party would launch other forms of democratic protest if the contents of FA are not disclosed even after organising sit-in at all the 60 ACs of the State.

Manipur was literally on fire in 2001 when just three words were added in the agreement between Gol and NSCN-IM.

The public are also very much aware during whose Government the 2001 upheaval happened, he said.

Ibobi further said that no State Govts were apprised or informed about the signing of the FA in 2015 .

On the basis of the demand of the NSCN-IM, just a little part of Assam and Arunachal Pradesh will be affected whereas large chunk of Manipur's territory measuring about 20,000 sq km will be ceded, he said.

The stand of the Congress is very clear.

No land belongs to a particular community, it all belong to the Govt, Ibobi said.

Supporting the Framework Agreement is akin to appending signature on blank cheque.

The BJP is making a move in this regard as if they are trying to get all the credits, he said.

The ongoing development in the Gol- NSCN (IM) negotiation may not disintegrate the State at the moment, but is surely sowing the seeds of disintegration which will happen after some years, he reiterated.

Before the election, Chief Minister N Biren had dubbed the NPF as a party hellbent on disintegrating Manipur.

But now he has formed the Govt with the support of NPF and simply denied his earlier statement, O Ibobi said.

Pointing out that a Congress member has been included in the Memorandum Drafting Committee on FA, Ibobi said that the party will withdraw its member from now if the BJP fails to come out with its clear stand on the matter.

Asserting that BJP, whether at the Centre or State, is a party whose utterance and action are different, Ibobi said Chief Minister N Biren has no self confidence as was evident when the Govt called an all political party meeting on FA issue while at the same time making statement that Manipur will not be disintegrated.

Many experts will mock at the BJP's announcement of different packages.

Announcing packages without knowing the financial status is not impressive.

People should rather deliberate on the economic position of the State before the BJP Govt came in the State and after it assumed power.

He also asked if any change has been facilitated after the Look East Policy has been renamed as Act East Policy.

If the BJP dare to work for the welfare of the people, it should expand Tiddim Road (from Imphal to CCpur) to 100 ft wide, he said.

Many Union Ministers came to Manipur before the election and made promises that Manipur's integrity would not be compromised.

But their refusal to disclose the contents of the FA has caused apprehension in the minds of the people.

Speaking at the occasion, former MPCC president and former Dy CM Gaikhangam said the Narendra Modi led NDA Govt at the Centre has sickened the people.

The disease/sickness is becoming critical now.

In order to get rid of the disease, the Congress is launching an agitation demanding the disclosure of the contents of the Framework Agreement.

He asked why the contents of FA have not been disclosed even two years after its signing.

Anything that is concealed cannot be a good one.

Expressing strong scepticism of the FA a year back and changing side after 5/6 months and asserting that FA will not be a threat is surprising.

Gaikhangam asked why no action has been taken against those who 'welcomed them to South Nagaland' during the CM's visit to Chandel recently.

The Congress had at one point of time opposed the visit of Muivah to Ukhrul.

That restriction was not targeted at any particular community.

Since Muivah is an underground leader, the Govt was not allowing his visit.

But some people took advantage of the incident and projected the Congress as anti-Naga, Gaikhangam said.

He further said that even as the State Govt announced different packages at different places, the RBI has closed transactions due to overdraft.

MPCC president TN Haokip said that the principle of justice as followed by PM Narendra Modi is like the proverbial 'Monkey justice story.' Congress MLAs, former MLAs and party workers took part in the programme.

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