No AA for Nagas in Manipur: Ibobi
Source: Hueiyen News Service

Imphal, February 06 2013: In a severe jolt to the demand for 'Alternative Arrangement' of the Naga people in Manipur, Chief Minister O Ibobi Singh has categorically stated that such arrangement within Manipur is 'not acceptable' as it is not politically feasible.

Talking to mediapersons at the conference hall of Chief Minister's Secretariat here today, Ibobi recalled that during his meeting with Union Home Minister Sushil Kumar Shinde at New Delhi yesterday, he was asked to give suggestions on a lasting solution to the ongoing peace talks between NSCN-IM and Government of India.

To that he had made it clear that no step should be taken that could destroy the territorial integrity of Manipur or which might lead to its disintegration in future.

He also conveyed to the Union Home Minister in no uncertain term that the Government of Manipur is prepared to extend all possible help towards resolving the protracted peace process between the NSCN (IM) and the Government of India, but there cannot be any room for 'Alternative Arrangement' of the Naga people within Manipur.

The Union Home Minister in turned assured him and Deputy Chief Minister Gaikhangam, who was also present during the meeting, that the full text of the agreement to be signed between NSCN-IM and Union Government would be made available to the State Government before arriving at a final decision, Chief Minister O Ibobi said.

The Chief Minister observed that the Government of India and the NSCN (IM) were trying to bring about a final settlement to the ongoing peace process before commencement of the Nagaland Assembly Elections.

But bringing about the desired solution would have to take some more time.

"Both parties need to step back a little so that a peaceful solution could be brought about.

Even the ex-Chief Minister of Nagaland SJ Jamir visited the State to discuss the possibility of a peaceful solution to the Indo-NSCN (IM) peace talk", Chief Minister O Ibobi disclosed.

He maintained that any solution to the peace process between NSCN (IM) and the Government of India should not pose any challenge to the existing territorial integrity of Manipur.

Ibobi insisted that his Government has been making every possible effort to bring about developmental activities both in the valley and hills uniformly.

"The state Government has implemented the Manipur Village Authority Act and also the District Council Act in the five hill districts of Manipur to overlook the entire developmental works being taken up in these districts.

The Government is also seriously considering taking different steps to make the two Acts more effective.

Despite all these, United Naga Council (UNC) has been pushing for an Alternative Arrangement of the Nagas in Manipur.

Such arrangement within Manipur is not acceptable as it is not politically feasible", he asserted.

Replying to a question on the Kuki Statehood demand, Chief Minister O Ibobi said that the State Government has met with the representatives of Kuki State Demand Committee.

Appointment of an interlocutor and the approval of the Central Cabinet have also been discussed and arranged.

Chief Minister O Ibobi also disclosed that KYKL (MDF) under the leadership of one Thouba has approached the State Government for peace talks.

Though the approach is yet to be approved officially, it is expected that in case of a peace talk, around 100 cadres of the group would be included.

Moreover, UPPK has also responded to the call for peace talks.

Terming the agitation of VDF personal as legal, the Chief Minister said that their demand for hike in salary is legitimate.

However, their approach of demanding their rights is wrong.

Instead of launching ceasework strike and bandh, they could have opted for a different mode of agitation.

There are no problems which could not be solved through talks.

The Chief Minister also made it a point to mention on the controvery over seizure of a huge consignment of drugs from Imphal Airport and reiterated that the owner of the seized drug has been apprehended and the culprit has admitted to the crime.

Nonetheless, further investigation into the case is on.

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