ILPS-like Bill likely soon ; Ibobi questions feasibility of separate emblem, flag
Source: The Sangai Express

Imphal, August 16 2015: "If Nagas should be allowed to have separate flag and emblem on the demand of NSCN-IM, should the Government of India allow different commu-nities of Manipur to have separate flags and em-blems?", asked Chief Minister O Ibobi.

Briefing some media persons today, Ibobi stated he was taken by surprise by the report that Nagas would be allowed to have separate flag and emblem on the demand of NSCN-IM.

"If a community should be allowed to have separate flag and emblem just because one group demands it, what will happen to Manipur which has so many communities?", he asked.

Talking about the peace accord signed between the Government of India and NSCN-IM on August 3, Ibobi stated different proposals were placed before him repeatedly.

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In place of sovereignty, a proposal for setting up a pan Naga development council was made.

This was substituted by establishment of a regional Naga council only to be replaced by a new proposal for forming special autonomous district council.

To all these proposals, Ibobi made it clear that it was not advisable to go for any such arrangement as it would affect almost 80 per cent of the total geographical area of Manipur.

Ibobi maintained that he was opposing all those proposals.

The sealing of a peace accord between Government of India and NSCN-IM without giving any information to the Government of Manipur was political imprudent and condemnable.

Even though former interlocutors consulted the State Government repeatedly, present interlocutor RN Ravi never consulted the State Government with regard to exploring a solution to the Naga peace process except for a courtesy call one day and another meeting about the Chandel ambush.

The only formal meeting was when I talked with Union Home Minister Rajnath Singh after the peace accord was signed.

He (RN Ravi) was also present at the meeting.

He who is well aware about Manipur maintained that the accord was just a framework.

Referring to a map which shows Naga inhabited areas within the territory of Manipur and are being claimed by NSCN-IM, Ibobi pointed out that granting the rebel outfit's demand would amount to annihilating Manipur.

As for protection of Naga inhabited areas and their rights, there are many Acts which have been passed by the Parliament, and there is no harm in amending a little bit of these Acts, Ibobi stated.

Instead of taking these amiable steps, if they choose to disintegrate Manipur, all their attempts would end in abject failure, asserted the Chief Minister.

Notably, Ibobi, while addressing Independence Day celebration at 1st MR parade ground yesterday, asserted that no superpower country, leave aside India, can disintegrate Manipur.

If any group/country wish to take over any part of Manipur's territory, they must first exterminate all the 28 lakh people of the State.

Commenting on the demand for implementation of ILPS, Ibobi stated that the Government wishes to incorporate all the points desired by the masses.

However, there is a reservation whether the Governor would withhold or disapprove the Bill before or after it is passed by the State Assembly.

When all the five points suggested by JCILPS are incorporated in the Bill, the Governor who is the State's Constitutional head and the Centre's representative may refer the Bill to the Government of India.

Taking into consideration all these possibilities, the Government would like to table a Bill which would be passed without any hassles and at the same time acceptable to the people of Manipur after consultation with JCILPS and other experts.

Meanwhile, another source informed that the Chief Minister held a meeting with his Council of Ministers this evening and the meeting resolved to introduce a Bill acceptable to the people at the earliest.