'Final Naga Solution' to Negatively Impact Manipur?

Imphal, October 19, 2019:

Many Manipuri civil societies and organizations fear that the 'final Naga solution' might adversely affect the territorial integrity of Manipur. As a part of the ongoing public alert campaign, the United Committee Manipur (UCM) has geared up to launch different modes of mass movements from October 21 onwards.

Speaking to media persons at their Lamphelpat office today, UCM president Sunil Karam said that a mass protest cum public meeting would be held at Keishampat Leimajam Leikai on October 21.

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This would be followed by unannounced forms of public agitation, particularly on October 31, Sunil said. Notably, it has been reported in media that a final agreement may be signed between the Government of India and Naga militant groups on October 31.

Incidentally, a huge mass rally was taken out at Imphal on October 31 last year reaffirming the collective resolution that the integrity of Manipur and the sanctity of its territorial boundary are non-negotiable.

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As reported in media, Nagaland Governor and Government of India’s Interlocutor RN Ravi held a marathon meeting which lasted for three hours at Kohima recently where leaders of 14 Naga tribes of Nagaland, non-Naga tribes, church leaders and representatives of CSOs were present.

The media reports mentioned that a final solution to the ongoing political dialogue may be sealed by October 31 either by setting up an autonomous Naga territorial council or by exten- ding Article 371-A to the neighbouring States of Nagaland, Sunil noted.

The people of Manipur and the UCM have repeatedly told Prime Minister Narendra Modi as well as Interlocutor RN Ravi that the integrity of Manipur should not be touched nor any community based arrangement should be instituted, he asserted.

During a meeting with a delegation from Manipur which included UCM representatives in 2017, Prime Minister Narendra Modi promised that the integrity of Manipur and its territorial boundary would not be affected, and all stake holders would be consulted before a final solution to the Naga peace talk is worked out, the UCM president recalled.

However, there is no indication of consulting any stake holder till date even though October 31 is just 12 days away.

Moreover, there has been no response to the many memorandums and representations submitted by UCM and other CSOs to the Government of India on the issue, he said.

On the contrary, the Government of India has been embarking on a sinister policy to disintegrate Manipur by setting a deadline on October 31. This has compelled UCM to prepare for different modes of mass civil movements, Sunil said.

He then appealed to all communities of the State to take a firm decision on the issue and stand collectively.

As the 60 MLAs of the State have not yet stated their positions on the issue of Naga peace talk, they should be held accountable for any negative impact of the peace talk and its solution on Manipur, asserted the UCM president.

The State Government cannot remain silent on the issue. A special session of the State Assembly should be convened and a resolution firmer than the earlier resolutions should be adopted, he demanded.

Both the Central Government and the State Governments should come out with clarifications to media reports that an autonomous Naga territorial council may be set up and Article 371-A may be extended to the neighbouring States of Nagaland, Sunil added.

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