Dy CM appeals COCOMI to withdraw ultimatum
Source: The Sangai Express

Imphal, November 02 2019: Deputy Chief Minister and all political parties' memoran-dum drafting sub-committee chairman Yumnam Joykumar has appealed to COCOMI to withdraw its ultimatum.

Speaking to media persons at his Secretariat office this afternoon, Joykumar said that no final settlement was made at the October 31 talks between the Government of India, NSCN-IM and NNPGs.

Nonetheless, a breakthrough was achieved at the meeting on NSCN-IM's demands for separate flag and constitution, he said.

Dy CM appeals COCOMI to withdraw ultimatum

At the same time, Union Home Minister Amit Shah assured an all parties delegation from the State that no final solution would be sealed without first consulting all stake holders inclu- ding the State Governments of Manipur, Assam and Arunachal Pradesh and they would be certainly invited for consultation, conveyed the sub-committee chairman.

Amit Shah also made it clear that no final settlement was reached at the October 31 talks.

Pointing out that Amit Shah is a key leader of BJP as well as the Modi Government, Joykumar said that a man of principle like Amit Shah would never tell falsehoods and the State Government has full faith in his assurance.

Notably, the COCOMI comprising of AMUCO, CCSK, HERICOUN, LIPUN and UCM set a deadline on November 4 for the State Government to ascertain all the points of agreement reached between the Government of India, NSCN-IM and NNPGs at the October 31 talks.

The committee also announced that intense modes of mass protest would be launched.

Responding to the demand of the COCOMI, the Deputy Chief Minister confided that they would not be able to ascertain the points of agreement reached at the October 31 talks as the dialogue process is still going on and no final settlement has been made yet.

"Carrying out protest movements after setting a deadline for the Government would only bring misunderstanding and distrust amongst ourselves", Joykumar said.

It's not time to mobilise people and wage civil protest movements.

Instead, all stake holders must wait for the Central Government's invitation.

"We need to consult each other on what response we should give to the possible proposals that may be tabled before us by the Central Government", he said.

This does not mean the State Government would compromise the State's territorial boundary, administrative set-up, socio-political integrity and people's collective will, he said.

The State Government is fully aware of the people's collective will and is ready to face all challenges if the Naga solution impinges upon Manipur in any manner, Joykumar asserted.

The State Government made its position very clear in 2009 when the Central Government gave permission to NSCN-IM General Secretary Th Muivah to visit his native village in Manipur without consulting the State Government, he recalled.

"The then State Government barred Th Muivah from entering Manipur.

At that time, incumbent Chief Minister N Biren was a ruling MLA and I was serving as the DGP", he continued and added that his position has not changed a bit.

BJP MLA P Saratchandra, MPCC general secretary Kh Devabrata and LJP Manipur spokesman N Ibohal were also present at the press meet.