Imphal, June 16: MPP president O Joy has sent a memorandum to Prime Minister of India questioning the legal and constitutional validity of certain terms of the cease-fire agreement reached between the Government of India and the NSCN (IM).

In the memorandum, O Joy pointed out that the boundary of any state within the Indian union can only be altered under Article 3 of the Indian Constitution and any other methodology to effect changes in the boundary of a state is unconstitutional.

The MPP president said the ground rule implies that the writ of the state administration will be effective only in non-Naga inhabited areas which in effect means �decrease of the territorial area of Manipur administration which can be done only under Article 3 of the Constitution of India.� The memorandum said the Government of India has not contradicted or denied the claim of Th Muivah that 12,00,000 sq kms of land belongs to the Nagas whereas the total area of the state of Nagaland is only 16,579 sq km.

O Joy further said in the light of the above points in the light of the above points that the MPP is of the firm view that the extension of the cease-fire and its ground rules and statements of the Home Secretary and Muivah have resulted in the �diminishing, altering and disintegrating the territorial boundary of the State Manipur.� The MPP chief appealed to the Prime Minister to review the ground rules of the cease-fire and other allied conditions and added that they would be constrained to approach the court if necessary.

Copies of the memorandum were submitted to the Union Home Minister L K Advani, Governor Ved Marwah, NDA convenor George Fernandes and Union Home Secretary Kamal Pande.

Joy met the Governor in the afternoon to submit the copies of the memorandum.

Talking to reporters Joy asked the BJP MLAs to tender resignation as they announced in the past.

Joy said that he respects the sentiments of all organizations, people and MLAs, but added that it is the time for consolidation and solidarity.

He also appealed to the people to launch the movement in a democratic manner.

Comment