GoI-NSCN (IM) political parleys : Public meet reaffirms 'no infringement' resolution
Source: The Sangai Express

Imphal, September 19 2019: A public meeting held today reaffirmed that any final settlement worked out between the Government of India and NSCN-IM must not disturb or interfere in the unity and territorial integrity of Manipur under any conditions.

The one day public alert meeting on the possible settlement of Naga peace talk was held at Lamyanba Shanglen, Konung Lampak under the aegis of the United Committee Manipur (UCM) .

Notwithstanding GoI's assurance that geographical boundaries of the North Eastern States will remain intact, the meeting resolved that anything which relates to the Framework Agreement signed between Gol and NSCN-IM should not be implemented in Manipur without prior consent and approval of the State Government and the people of Manipur.

The people of Manipur will never accept any direct or indirect support or acceptance given by New Delhi to NSCN-IM's demand for integration of Naga inhabited areas as well as other arrangements such as pan-Naga cultural/provincial/territorial council or financial autonomy or community- based separate administration, reads the third resolution.

The fourth resolution says that the State of Manipur will take a decision of its own to determine its future in case GoI challenges the first three resolutions and initiate steps against the common concerns of the people of Manipur.

The gathering also agreed to send the resolutions adopted today to the Prime Minister and the Chief Minister.

The meeting presided by UCM president Sunil Karam was moderated by the committee consultative committee member RK Ranendrajit.

The meeting was attended by representatives of Kuki Inpi Manipur, Zeliangrong Union, Haomee Research Guild, community leaders of hill people, CSOs, scholars, academicians and legal experts.

Giving key-note address of the meeting, Sunil Karam said that the main agenda of the meeting is the sanctity of the State's integrity and its territorial boundary.

GoI and NSCN-IM have been engaged in a political dialogue since 1997 after signing a ceasefire agreement.

During the past 22 years, people of Manipur are always occupied with a nagging fear that the political dialogue may upset the integrity of Mampur,Sunil'remarked.

Recalling the historic massmovementof June 18, 2001, the UCM president also noted the Framework Agreement signed between GoI and NSCN-M on August 3, 2015 .

In the aftermath of the Framework Agreement, representatives of AMUCO, CCSK and UCM talked with interlocutor RN Ravi four times and highlighted the concerns of the people of Manipur in clear terms along with written documents.

Moreover, a joint delegation of the three organisations met Prime Minister Narendra Modi on December 28, 2017 and submitted a similar representation, Sunil said.

During the meeting, the Prime Minister assured that the integrity of Manipur and its territorial boundary would not affected.

The Prime Minister further assured that the State Government and all stake holders would be consulted before initiating any step.

Narendra Modi also appealed to all concerned not to accept any report or speculation on the Naga peace talk as truth until and unless an official statement is issued, Sunil recalled.

However, NSCN-IM had come out with different statements after the Framework Agreement was signed.

The Central Government too came out with statements which contradicted the statements/claims made by NSCN-IM.

Recently, Interlocutor RN Ravi was appointed as the Governor of Nagaland and there were media reports that the Prime Minister's Office was keen to work out a solution to the Naga peace talk within three months, he noted.

However, people of Manipur have no idea what is written in the Framework Agreement or the points of agreement reached between GoI and NSCN-IM, Sunil continued.

With a common message to keep the integrity of Manipur sacrosanct, mammoth rallies were taken out four times in 1997, 2000, 2017 and 2018.Moreover, over 18 people had paid with their lives in their efforts to safeguard the integrity of Manipur.

In the meantime, a number of memoranda were submitted to Gol but no concrete response has been received till date, he decried.

Given the uncertainty surrounding the Naga peace talk, today's public meeting was convened to reaffirm the earlier resolutions to safeguard the integrity of Manipur and its territorial boundary at all costs, said the UCM president.

He added that the UCM has been planning a joint meeting with representatives of political parties and also more public meeting at different places.

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