UCM demands white paper on Indo-Naga peace talk
Source: Hueiyen News Service

Imphal, November 04 2012: Calling for a logical conclusion to the protracted peace talks between the Government of India and the Naga rebel group, NSCN (IM), United Committee Manipur (UCM) has categorically stated that even if the territorial integrity of Manipur is not affected, anything that may be a negative factor for the relationship among various communities of Manipur will be thwarted when an agreement is inked between New Delhi and NSCN-IM.

UCM has also forwarded a memorandum to the Prime Minister of India as well as the Governor Manipur yesterday making its stand clear on an attempt to disintegrate Manipur and demanding a white paper on the 15 years long peace process between NSCN-IM and the Government of India 'in the true spirit of Indian democracy so that the people of Manipur are not kept in complete darkness before sacrificing Manipur at the altar of peace.

Addressing media persons in this regard at its head office at Lamphelpat today, UCM President Y Nabachandra, stated that UCM warmly welcomes the peace talk between the Government of India and the NSCN-IM.

However, it would not tolerate any move on the part of the Government of India or the NSCN (IM) to pose threat on the territorial integrity of Manipur or attempt to cause hatred among the peace loving communities in the State.

Nabachandra reiterated that UCM still remains committed to its earlier stand and if the Government of India tries to disintegrate Manipur, it would take recourse to bringing back the lost glory of Manipur and demand the pre-merger status of the state.

In its memodum, UCM reminded the historical background of Manipur, her international treaties with the then British India Government and Burma (Myanmar) in which Manipur was recognized as a sovereign princely state with more than 2000 years within the South East Asia.

However, Manipur was conquered by the British India Government on 27th April, 1891 after Anglo-Manipur war of 1891 .

Remembering the historic event of 1947, UCM memorandum pointed out that Manipur regained her sovereignty after the lapse of British paramouncy on 14th August, 1947 .

Accordingly, Manipur had a popular government after a general election of 1948 held under the Manipur Constitution Act, 1947 .

"Deeply concerned with the historic event of Manipur the then Maharaja of Manipur, Shrijut Bodhachandra was cordoned at Shillong and took signature on the already prepared Merger Agreement under duress and coercion and hence, Manipur became a Part-C State within the Dominion of India since then.

This is the fact file of the background of Manipur.

Since time immemorial, all the ethnic communities of Manipur have been living together peacefully and harmoniously," the memorandum asserted.

Reminding the recent and last promises made by the then and present Prime Mininsters and Home Ministers to the peace loving people of Manipur that the Manipur's boundary and area must not disturb at the negotiation between NSCN-IM and government of India, UCM observed these promises should be kept unchanged.

"Honouring the Manipur State Assembly's resolutions taken many times for the protection of the territorial integrity of Manipur, we hope the Union Government should also honour the same," UCM said, adding that the people of Manipur will never compromise over the territorial integrity of Manipur.

Demanding a white paper on the 15-year long peace process between the government of India and the NSCN-IM in the true spirit of the Indian democracy so that the people of Manipur are not kept in complete darkness before sacrificing Manipur at the altar of peace, the UCM memorandum cautioned that the Government of India will be held fully responsible for total alienation of the people of Manipur from the Indian mainland and the far reaching consequences thereof.

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