Congress seeks President’s intervention on ‘Framework Agreement’

By A Staff Reporter

IMPHAL | Nov 22

Manipur Pradesh Congress Committee (MPCC) today submitted a memorandum to the President of India, seeking the latter’s intervention in pressuring the NDA government to disclose the contents of the ‘Framework Agreement’ signed between the Centre and the NSCN (IM).

Speaking to media persons in connection with the meeting with the President, MPCC President TN. Haokip, said he along with former chief minister of Manipur, Okram Ibobi Singh and senior Congress legislator, Gaikhangam, met with the President at 8.30 am wherein the memorandum was submitted.

The President was apprised of the uncertainty and apprehension surrounding in the state with the NDA government adamant to keep the contents of the agreement a closely guarded secret for too long, he added.

Subsequently, TN. Haokip said the three Congress leaders requested the President to press the NDA government to disclose the contents of the agreement. 

He revealed that the outcome of the meeting was satisfactory as expected with the President reportedly assuring the Congress leader to look into the matter.

Former chief minister, Okram Ibobi Singh, reiterated that the Congress government welcomes any initiatives to resolve a problem peacefully but not at the cost of territorial integrity of Manipur.

He said that the Congress will not be part of the drafting committee of common memorandum to be submitted to the Prime Minister and delegates to visit to Delhi until the government come out with a clear explanation on the NPF’s stand on Manipur’s territory.

Of the five point memorandum, the Congress mentioned that the so-called “conspiracy of silence” may tell heavily upon the peace process and may even invite an uneasy beginning of the end.

It further said, “One fact is reaffirmed and made categorically clear that the threat to the integrity of Manipur; territorial, administrative, financial, cultural political, can never be tolerated under any design of settlement. Manipur should remain “Manipur” as it is today”.

Any attempt to destabilize the status-quo of political and economic structure rooted in the history of Manipur, should be construed as negation of political maturity and ideals of human civilization fraught with grave consequences, it said before adding that it will create a catastrophic for Manipur and devastating for the region.