Imphal, May 05 2010: Accusing the Central Government of consenting NSCN (IM) general secretary Th Muivah's visit to Manipur, the Manipur People's Party has demanded that Union Home Minister P Chidambaram should resign from the post owning moral responsibility for threatening territorial integrity of Manipur and creating a civil war-like situation in the region.

Elucidating on the MPP's demand, the regional political party's president Dr Nimaichand Luwang said a working committee meeting of the MPP convened today mainly focused on the prevailing tension triggered by the proposed visit of Muivah to Manipur.

As the rebel leader's sojourn to Manipur has complicated the situation the MPP working committee meeting taking into account technical aspect of the visit with apparent knowledge of the Centre has decided to demand stepping down of P Chidambaran as the Union Home Minister, Dr Nimaichand said.

Speaking to the media after the said meeting, he asserted that the MPP is totally against the arrival of the NSCN (IM) general secretary to Manipur.

Describing Th Muivah as the mastermind to distort territorial integrity of Manipur, Dr Nimaichand said MPP's objection on the proposed visit of the rebel leader is to prevent Muivah's interaction with the common people of Manipur for the individual fanning ethnic tension amongst various communities cannot be ruled out.

Maintaining that MPP construes approval by the Central Government on Muivah visiting his native village in Ukhrul district as an immature step and lack of understanding on the part of the Home Minister the general sentiment of manipur public.

Expressing that consent of the Centre to the visit is a cause for concern apart from stirring conscience of the public to suspect ulterior motive of the Home ministry, Dr Nimaichand said the Central Government not advising muivah against visiting manipur tantamount to scheming civil war in the region.

Terming as uncivilised denial of passage to vehicles of Manipur through Nagaland by the Naga Students' Federation (NSF) as well as torching to loaded trucks near Khuzama, the former Minister said such acts are intended to create divisions among the ethnic people of the region.

He also conveyed decision of the working committee to demand that the Centre instruct Government of Nagaland to arrest the culprits involved in the burning of the trucks and to compensate the vehicle owners.

condemning assertion of the seven Naga MLAs that Th Muivah should be allowed to come to Manipur amid strong objection raised by several civil society organisations, dr Nimaichand demanded that the Manipur Legislative Assembly take appropriate action for the seven's unethical stance.

Pointing out that the prevailing situation cannot be solved by the government alone or some isolated political party, he suggested that an all political party meeting be convened to discuss the issue and if the situation warrants a special assembly session be held and issue-based resolution of the House be intimated to the Centre.

Dr Nimaichand further confided that MPP would submit a memorandum each to the President of India, Prime Minister, Home Minister, leaders of national political parties and Governor of Manipur to ensure Th Muivah is not allowed entry to manipur.

He also appealed to the general public to exercise restrain and not to act on sentiment so that prevailing peace and amity could be sustained.

Joining the media briefing, MPP legislator O Joy condemned what he described as a criminal activist being allowed to travel to manipur by the Central Government.

He also flayed burning of Manipur's vehicles by miscreants in nagaland.

In his comment, RK Anand (MLA) claimed that the seven Naga MLAs during a previous sitting of the State Assembly had sought apology of the House for submitting a memorandum to the Prime Minister.

Recounting that the said memorandum was intended to disintegrate Manipur, RK Anand raised strong objection that the same set of legislators had repeated the offence.

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