'Naga talks can't disrupt our territorial integrity'

IMPHAL: The state assembly on Monday resolved to urge the Centre to ensure that the ongoing Naga peace talks do not impinge upon the territorial integrity or disrupt the present administrative setup of Manipur.


"The House has, time and again, passed resolutions to protect Manipur's territorial integrity since 1995," chief minister N Biren Singh told the assembly before passing the resolution. The ongoing peace talks, between the Centre and the National Socialist Council of

Nagaland

(Isak-Muivah), revolve around the outfit's demand for a greater Nagaland which includes Naga-inhabited areas of Manipur, Assam and

Arunachal Pradesh

. The year 1995, that Biren referred to, was when the first round of talks was held in Paris.

In 2015, the Centre signed a framework agreement with NSCN (I-M), details of which have been kept under the wraps. Monday's resolution came in the wake of simmering tension after Naga peace talks interlocutor RN Ravi, while sharing the provisions in the agreement with the parliamentary standing committee on home affairs, hinted at a proposal for granting 'special status' to Nagas in the three states neighbouring Nagaland - Manipur, Assam and Arunachal Pradesh. A similar resolution had been passed by the House on December 22 last year.

"A BJP delegation from the state visited New Delhi recently and urged Prime Minister Narenda Modi and Union home minister Rajnath Singh to not disturb the state's unity and territorial integrity. The delegation made it clear to the central leaders that it would take strong measures if any steps are taken to break Manipur on the basis of the framework agreement signed by the Centre and NSCN (I-M)," Biren said.

An all-political party meeting had on Sunday decided to convene a special assembly session to discuss the Naga peace talks if necessary. Besides, three prominent organizations of the state - United Committee, Manipur, All Manipur United Clubs' Organisation and Coalition of Civil Societies, Kangleipak have also asked the government to take a firm stand on the state's territorial integrity.

The Naga peace process has, time and again, fuelled strong protests in the three states to whose areas the proposed greater Nagaland stakes claim. In 2001, Manipur valley was up in flames after the then NDA government had decided to extend the ceasefire between NSCN (I-M) and the Centre beyond Nagaland. Police firing killed 18 protesters, following which angry agitators torched the assembly building, the chief minister's bungalow, various political party offices and the official residences of many ministers. The stir continued in the valley districts until the Centre withdrew its decision a month later, confining the ceasefire to Nagaland.


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