Cong reaffirms integrity stand
Source: The Sangai Express
Imphal, May 30 2018:
After a threadbare deliberation en the Framework Agreement signed between the Government of India and NSCN-IM and the Citizenship (Amendment) Bill 2016, Opposition Congress party has reaffirmed its resolution not to tolerate any attempt to disintegrate Manipur.
A public meeting cum protest was held today at Congress Bhavan under the aegis of Manipur Pradesh Congress Committee (MPCC) where six resolutions were adopted.
The meeting resolved that the integrity of Manipur must not be challenged under any circumstances, there should be no separate administration nor there should be any political, financial and cultural obliteration.
The gathering endorsed the memorandum submitted to the President of India on November 21, 2017 at Imphal with regard to the Framework Agreement.
While strongly condemning the statements given by interlocutor RN Ravi on the Framework Agreement which was published by the Indian Express on April 26, the meeting resolved to call on and urge the Prime Minister, the Union Home Minister and other Central leaders to safeguard the interest of Manipur.
It also resolved to submit a memorandum to the Joint Parliamentary Committee (JPC) to withdraw the Citizenship (Amendment) Bill 2016 .
As agreed at the meeting, a similar memorandum would be submitted to the Prime Minister and the Union Home Minister to the effect that the Citizenship (Amendment) Bill 2016 is withdrawn.
Speaking at the meeting, ex-Chief Minister Okram Ibobi noted that a restive atmosphere has enveloped the people of Manipur by the reports that a final solution to the Framework Agreement would be adopted and the Citizenship (Amendment) Bill would be passed during the monsoon session of Parliament.
Every time BJP come to power, they come with a hidden agenda of stoking communal disharmony.
The BJP-led NDA Government signed the Framework Agreement in a very secretive manner without disclosing anything about it.
Government of India's interlocutor RN Ravi was saying that a Bill would be passed under which an autonomous Naga territorial council would be created for the Nagas of Manipur and Arunachal Pradesh.
If such a Bill is passed by the Parliament, it would be nothing but creation of a State within a State, said the former Chief Minister.
Categorically stating that the Government of India should not explore solutions to the political dialogue with NSCN-IM from the perspective of a single community, Ibobi asked the BJP-led Government not to do anything which undermines the interest of Manipur.
Reiterating that one unflinching conviction of Congress party is to safeguard the integrity of Manipur, Ibobi said that they would lobby with Central Opposition leaders at Delhi to oppose any Bill related to the Framework Agreement which undermines the interest of Manipur.
Noting that BJP leaders have been stubbornly refusing to divulge anything about the Framework Agreement despite persistent demands of the people and me Congress party, ex-Deputy Chief Minister Gaikhangam pointed out that RN Ravi's assertion to pass a Bill under which an autonomous territorial council would be created has negated all the assurances of BJP Central leaders that the Framework Agreement does not contain anything inimical to the interest of Manipur.
So far, the BJP-led Government has not rejected the interlocutor's statement, he pointed out while asking BJP's position on the same statement.
He remarked that the Citizenship (Amendment) Bill 2016 is aimed at merging minority communities with the majority community.
It is a Bill which would pave way for relocation of nonlocal people on the soil of Manipur.
The Bill is driven by a diabolical hidden agenda.
As such, it should be withdrawn at the earliest, Gaikhangam demanded.
MLA K Ranjit, ex-MLA RK Anand, ex-MLA Dr Ng Bijoy and MPCC spokesman Hareshwar Goswami too spoke at the meeting.
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