MPP warns against autonomy to any group
Source: The Sangai Express
Imphal, April 28 2018:
Manipur People's Party (MPP) has strongly warned against any attempt to create an Autonomous Naga Territorial Council in Manipur.
Speaking to media persons at the party's office at Mapal Kangjeibung Maning today, MPP president Oinam Jugindro said that MPP does not have any opposition towards the peace talk between the Central Government and the NSCN (IM).
Referring to a news report in The Indian Express, Jugindro said that even as a probable solution between the two parties comes closer, MPP will not accept any points or agreements like giving shared sovereignty to a State or creation of an autonomous body as these will pose great problems in the Central and State administration.
Alleging that Interlocutor RN Ravi's claims will bring chaos in Manipur, Jugindro further remarked that RN Ravi, who does not have any knowledge about the history of the various communities residing in Manipur, is attempting to destroy the State, and the party will not remain a silent spectator.
He also expressed shock at the proposal for shared sovereignty of Nagaland State which itself came from the Naga Club formed by Angami Zapu Phizo at Kohima in l918.Questioning the meaning behind Ravi's words regarding preservation of paramountcy of Manipur State Government while providing for the Autonomous Naga Territorial Council in the State, Jugindro pointed out that a term British Paramountcy was also used by the British in the past.
It would be right for the Government to remember that the June 18 incident was a result of the inclusion of the words 'without territorial limits' in the ceasefire agreement signed between NSCN (IM) and the Central Government (during the time of Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee) on June 14, 2001, he added.
On the other hand, speaking about the issue of land purchase, Jugindro explained that the Manipur Land Revenue and Land Reforms Act 1960 is there for land related issues and added that it is quite disappointing to see the State Government keeping mum till date.
MPP is concerned that the State Government may become a pawn in the hands of the Central Government and may be forced to agree to any terms, similarly like Manipur was merged into India in 1949.On the other hand, All Manipur Youth Protection Committee (AMYPCO) has claimed that the statement of interlocutor RN Ravi will harm the integrity of the State.
A press release issued by the general secretary of AMYPCO stated that the association views the peace accord as something which will, in the process of pleasing a particular group/outfit, create great confusion for the varied communities.
Accusing the Central Government attempting to break the unity among the different communities residing in the State, it mentioned that no community should agree to the acts of the Indian Government and the time is ripe for the people to understand the true meaning of the peace accord and stand united against any attempt to harm the integrity of the State.
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