On drop integrity clause in SoO pact demand raised by KNO, UPF ; Cong questions silence of Govt
Source: The Sangai Express
Imphal, August 01 2023:
The Congress party has asked why the Manipur Government is still not reacting when Kuki militant groups United People's Front and Kuki National Organisation (KNO) have reportedly demanded withdrawal of the clause for safeguarding the State's integrity from the Suspension of Operation (SoO) agreement during a talk with the Centre at New Delhi.
Addressing media persons at Congress Bhavan today, Manipur Pradesh Congress Committee (MPCC) vice president cum senior spokesperson Hareswar Goswami said that some inimical elements are constantly hatching conspiracy and devising strategies to disintegrate Manipur apart from waging a war against the Meiteis.
He continued that the recent statement given by BJP MLA of Saikot Constituency Paolienlal Haokip on dividing Manipur into three Union Territories to bring a lasting peace in the State was unfortunate.
Saying that Paolienlal Haokip is among the 10 Kuki MLAs who demanded separate administration for the people they represent in the initial stage of the ongoing conflict, Hareswar Goswami maintained that the Congress party strongly condemns the statement of Paolienlal Haokip and will not allow balkanisation of the State under any circumstances.
On studying under what ground the BJP MLA made the remark, the Congress party came across a media report which claimed that leaders of UPF and KNO had demanded creation of three Union Territories in Manipur during a talk with Special Advisor to the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) AK Mishra at New Delhi recently, he added.
Saying that whatever the Meiteis have been doing amid the onslaught by Kuki militants is to keep Manipur intact, the MPCC spokesman reiterated that the Congress party will also not allow disintegration of the State under any circumstances.
The Congress party is against the demand to establish separate administration and Union Territories by dividing Manipur, he added.
Continuing that SoO agreement is a tripartite talk between Kuki militant groups and Central and Manipur Government, Hareswar Goswami asked why the Manipur Government is not making any comment when UPF and KNO have demanded withdrawal of the clause on safeguarding the State's integrity from the SoO agreement.
The Manipur Government must state its position on the demand being raised by the Kuki militant groups under SoO agreement, the Congress leader demanded.
Has the BJP already withdrawn or intends to withdraw the said clause from the agreement because of pressure from SoO groups, Hareswar Goswami asked and sought a clarification from the Government.
The Congress spokesman advised the Manipur Government to not keep the development of the SoO talks hidden as a party of the agreement.
The Congress party never intends to politicise the violence in Manipur, he claimed and added that the grand old party only wants restoration of normalcy in the strife-torn State.
Claiming that the violence in Manipur was orchestrated by narco-terrorists by funding Kuki militant groups, Hareswar Goswami alleged that the BJP unfortunately is focusing only on Lok Sabha elections amid the heightened tension in Manipur.
He also asked if the Manipur Government is completely powerless in hill districts.
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