UCM reaffirms stand on territorial integrity
Source: The Sangai Express
Imphal, November 04 2012:
The United Committee Manipur (UCM) has once again reaffirmed its stance that the territorial integrity of Manipur must not be disturbed under any circumstances because of the ongoing negotiation between Government of India and NSCN-IM.
The UCM has also conveyed its position to the Prime Minister of India through a memorandum.
Speaking to media persons at their office today, UCM president Y Nabachandra clarified that UCM has nothing against the ongoing negotiation to find a solution to the Naga issue.
UCM supports all efforts of the Naga people of Nagaland to restore peace and security.
However, if these measures pose any challenge to the territorial integrity of Manipur, UCM would not remain silent.
Both the Government of India and the Government of Manipur should always keep in mind that UCM is always ready to spearhead a mass uprising more forceful than the uprising of June 2001 of the territorial integrity of Manipur is threatened.
Manipur's boundary cannot be compromised because of the political dialogue between New Delhi and NSCN-IM which has been going on for the last 15 years.
The peace process should not be brought within the territory of Manipur.
If the Government of India commits the blunder of challenging the collective stance of the people of Manipur and UCM, Manipur would demand its pre-merger status, Nabachandra asserted.
Talking about the memorandum despatched to the Prime Minister, Nabachandra pointed out that many Indian leaders have promised again and again to keep the territorial boundary of Manipur unchanged.
But the same leaders speak something totally different in Nagaland.
These Indian leaders have not given up their double-standard attitude even today.
The UCM memorandum stated that Manipur regained her sovereignty after the lapse of British paramountcy on August 14, 1947 following which a popular Government was installed in 1948 under the Manipur Constitution Act, 1947 .
Shortly later, king Bodhchandra was cordoned at Shillong and forced to append his signature on the already prepared Merger Agreement under duress and coercion, it alleged.
After this historic event, Manipur was reduced to a Part-C State within the dominion of India.
Reminding the recent and past promises made by the then and present Prime Ministers and Home Ministers on the peace loving people of Manipur that Manipur's boundary and area must not be disturbed at the negotiation between NSCN-IM and Government of India, the UCM demanded that the same promises must be kept unchanged.
It also urged the Government to honour the resolutions adopted by the Manipur State Legislative Assembly to protect and safeguard the territorial integrity of Manipur.
It further demanded a white paper on the 15 years long peace process between GoI and NSCN-IM in the true spirit of Indian democracy so that the people of Manipur are not kept in complete darkness before sacrificing Manipur at the altar of 'peace' .
The Government of India would be held fully responsible for total alienation of the people of Manipur from the Indian mainland and the far reaching consequences thereof, UCM warned through it memorandum.