FA may compromise State's interest in the future : Ibobi
Source: The Sangai Express

Imphal, November 27 2017: Asserting that even the people of Nagaland want to know what is contained in the Framework Agreement signed between NSCN (IM) and GoI, ex-Chief Minister Okram Ibobi has stated that the Congress party is not standing against the ceasefire agreement and Framework Agreement signed between NSCN (IM) and GoI but the party has been even praying for an amicable solution that will rehabilitate the militant group and being peace in the North East region .

He was speaking at a sit-in-protest demanding the disclosure of the contents of Framework Agreement at Hiyanglam Lai-Panganba Bazar in Kakching district which was organized by Hiyanglam Block Congress Committee .

FA may compromise State's interest in the future : Ibobi

Further stating that the BJP Government at the Centre consulted only the NSCN (IM) and signed the Framework Agreement without disclosing anything to anyone, he observed that the agreement cannot be taken lightly as it has created deep apprehension among the people of Manipur, Assam and Arunachal Pradesh .

BJP Government created turmoil in Manipur in 2001 through the Bangkok Declaration which said that the ceasefire agreement signed between NSCN (IM) and GoI had no territorial limit .

The NSCN (IM) has been demanding integration of Naga inhabited areas including the major portions of Manipur to form a greater Nagaland, Ibobi said while expressing his concern that something that may harm the State's interest in the future may be designed in the negotiation process, if not immediately .

This will bring many unwanted incidents and may result in communal clash in the State and hence to prevent such occurrences, the Congress party with the party's firm decision/stand to protect the State's integrity and interest is organizing the sit-in in parts of the State, he informed .

Claiming that Congress as an Opposition party has every right to demand the disclosure of the contents of Framework Agreement, Ibobi went on to say that his party is asking to reveal the contents of the agreement to allay the apprehension prevailing in the minds of the public .

Opining that a democratic Government cannot be run in a whimsical manner but under certain rules and regulations, Ibobi also asked whether ex-gratia of Rs 20 lakh can be provided in the future too as announced by the State Government recently in connection with the death of security escorts in an accident at Noney .

Running a Government needs a far-sighted vision and one needs to think before making any announcement, he said while noting that unwanted consequences may arise out of such whimsical announcements .

Highlighting that his Government refrained from inaugurating many projects and schemes including the power sub-stations at Elang Khangpokpi and Chandel after doing all the needful due to sudden imposition of election code of conduct, Ibobi asked the incumbent BJP-led Government not to claim such construction works/projects as their achievements.

Stating that BJP is ruling both in the Centre and the State, he urged the State Government to exert pressure on the Centre to disclose the contents of the Framework Agreement besides taking up several projects from the Centre .

Many MLAs, ex-MLAs and prominent Congress leaders, including ex-Deputy CM Gaikhangam, MPCC president TN Haokip, MPCC vice president T Mangibabu, Wabagai MLA Fazur Rahim and Ex-MLA E Dwijamani participated in the sit-in-protest.