Congress kicks off protest campaign demanding ‘Framework Agreement’ details be made public

By A Staff Reporter

IMPHAL | Nov 12

Former chief minister, Okram Ibobi Singh has questioned the BJP Manipur on the purpose of the all-political-party meeting it convened and the formation of a consultative committee, when the latter is confident of the promise made by the Prime Minister that Manipur’s territorial integrity would not be compromised by the ‘Framework Agreement’ signed between the NSCN (IM) and the Centre on August 3, 2015.

Ibobi was speaking on the sidelines of a sit in protest demonstration organised at Thangmeiband Andalon Keithel, as part of an intensified campaign demanding to know the contents of the agreement.

The sit-in demonstration was organised by the Thangmeiband block Congress committee to mark the launch of its campaign to mount pressure on the government to disclose the contents of the agreement.

Ibobi disclosed that similar protest would be organised in all the 60 Assembly constituencies of the state besides meeting the Prime Minister, Union Home minister and relevant officials as a part of their campaign.

He clarified that the objective of the protest campaign was not a political vendetta but a voice of dissent against the failure of the NDA government to maintain transparency despite its tall claim.

The Congress party has no intention of gaining ‘Political Mileage’ by disturbing the tranquillity but the Centre’s adamant nature to keep the agreement’s contents concealed till date has made the Congress and the people wary, he said.

Ibobi revealed that he had witnessed several proposals like formation of Pan-Naga body, special autonomous district council etc, as options to the settlement of the Naga peace talks during his tenure as the chief minister.

Similarly, granting administrative, financial or cultural autonomy, on the pretext of averting disintegration of Manipur’s territorial integrity, would be a step towards Manipur’s worst nightmare, he opined.

Contending that granting the demand of a militant group would amount to encouraging insurgency, the former chief minister said it would give rise to more UGs and demands.

Creating a problem in order to solve another would not be a wise step, he suggested.

MPCC spokesperson, Kh. Joykishan, reiterated that the Congress party appreciates the serious initiative of the Centre government trying to bring a settlement to the decades old Naga movement.

However, the settlement should not be at the cost of Manipur’s integrity and any other Northeastern states, he said.

Joykishan, asked the NDA government to stop tormenting the sentiment of Manipur by coming out with a concrete assurance not to compromise Manipur’s integrity while finding a solution to Naga peace talks.

He maintained the Congress along with the people will fight tooth and nail to safeguard Manipur’s integrity.

Former Speaker of the Manipur Legislative Assembly, Th. Lokeshwar, cautioned the BJP government to disclose the agreement’s content before things get out of hand.

The sit in protest was also attended by Patsoi MLA, AK. Mirabai, Wangkhem MLA, K. Meghachandra, Wangkhei MLA, Okram Henry Singh and congress workers of Thangmeiband block.