Trust Govt, maintain calm; CM appeals to all
Source: The Sangai Express / DIPR

Imphal, November 12 2019: Chief Minister N Biren Singh has urged the people and different civil society organisations of the State to remain calm until the Central Government invites stakeholders for consultation to hammer out an amicable solution to the Naga issue.

He made the appeal while addressing a press conference at the Durbar Hall of the Chief Minister's Secretariat today.

Urging the public to trust the Government, N Biren informed that in a meeting with a team of the State Government on November 10, Union Home Minister Amit Shah reiterated Central Government's firm commitment that anything detrimental to Manipur's interest would never be done in the process of bringing a final solution to the Naga peace process.

Trust Govt, maintain calm; CM appeals to all

The Chief Minister also observed that the same commitment of the Central Government was clearly reflected in the latest public statement of Nagaland Governor and Naga peace talks' interlocutor RN Ravi as well.

As such, it is time to maintain calm until the Central Government invites stakeholders for discussion to find a final agreement with the Nagas, he observed.

Biren informed that the Home Minister also assured them that all the stakeholders would be consulted before inking a final accord with the Nagas.

Stating that the present State Government has full trust in the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Home Minister Amit Shah that they would keep their words on the issue, the Chief Minister also requested the people of the State to have confidence in the State Government as well.

Informing that the Central Government is likely to begin consulting the stakeholders soon, the Chief Minister also stated that the State Government desires to meet members of Coordination Committee on Manipur Integrity (COCOMI) and other stakeholders before consultations with the Centre commence.

Stating that Manipur has been able to march forward and achieve different developmental goals in various fields in the past two years and a half thereby sending out a positive message to the world that it is no more a strife-torn zone, the Chief Minister observed that this hard-earned new image should never be shattered at any cost.

Opining that boycott call or demand for postponement of State's biggest tourism festival, Manipur Sangai Festival may send the wrong message to the outside world, the Chief Minister urged the CSOs and people of the State not to disturb the festival.

He also said that the State Government is fully confident that all the indigenous people of the State would live together forever and no land or community or group would be separated from Manipur.

As such, nobody should do anything which may disturb communal harmony at this crucial juncture.

The Chief Minister also urged the media to extend co-operation to the Government in maintaining calm and oneness among people.

Urging the public not to be too apprehensive, the Chief Minister also said that the State Government has been working day and night to live up to people's expectations and fulfil their desires.

He said that within the short tenure of the present Government, the State Assembly had resolved twice to protect the State's territorial integrity although similar resolutions on the same issue had been taken many times during the tenure of the earlier Government.

Ever since the October 31 deadline for concluding Naga peace talks was set, the State Government had a series of consultations with different CSOs and community leaders besides holding all political parties meeting and convening numerous meetings of MLAs of ruling parties, the Chief Minister said while adding that resolutions of these meetings were forwarded and submitted to the Central leaders.

As such, the Central Government understands the wish of the people of Manipur, he added.