To ensure territorial integrity of the State, Centre must be urged to revise Article 3 of Constitution : RK Anand
Source: The Sangai Express

Imphal, April 18 2017: Naoriya Pakhanglakpa ex-MLA RK Anand has said that it is the responsibility of the State Government to urge for a revision of Article III of the Indian Constitution in order to protect the territorial integrity of the State.

Speaking to media persons at his residence at Kwakeithel Akham Leikai, he stated that it is of utmost urgency for the State Government to urge a revision of the said Article in light of the August 5, 2015 Framework Agreement signed between the Indian Government and the NSCN-IM.

He said that the contents of the Framework Agreement are still a big mystery although Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Home Minister Rajnath Singh and other officials have time and again claimed that it would not harm the territorial integrity of the State.

But according to the claims made by NSCN-IM general secretary Th Muivah and other leaders like Kilo Kilonser Rh Raising, the details of the Framework Agreement are almost finished and ready to be implemented and on the other hand, ATSUM also submitted a memorandum demanding a Union Territory recently, he said claiming that all the processes point towards a possible basis on Article III.

He explained that during Atal Bihari Vajpayee's term as the Prime Minister, the inclusion of the words 'without territorial limits' in the agreement between the Central Government and the NSCN-IM resulted in a great uproar in the State and he himself was among the leaders of the State who went and urged for changing Article III.

There is also the case of dividing some parts of neighbouring States while forming Telangana State, he added.

RK Anand conveyed that the State Government and the people should stand against any kind of agreement before changing the contents of Article III.

Putting aside petty differences, a special session of Manipur Legislative Assembly must be held in order to discuss the various issues at hand and to protect the territorial integrity of the State, he added.

There are no Constitutional safeguards for Meiteis who make up the largest of the total State's population and as such it is vital to include the Meitei in the safeguards provided by the Constitution.

He pointed out that one of the most important Bills among those proposed for saving the indigenous population of the State, the Protection of Manipur People's Bill has also been withheld and urged the authority concerned to take up necessary actions.

RK Anand also expressed belief in Chief Minister N Biren and his ability to take rational decision during the worst of times.

He further claimed that he would work for the betterment of the State although he unfortunately lost the Assembly election.

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