Manipur News

IMPHAL, September 10: `The Naga Peace Accord is for everyone. We have made it very clear, it is inclusive. We will take everyone`™s views on board and try to reach a very comprehensive peace. It is not just for one or the other` interlocutor of India-NSCN (IM) peace talk RN Ravi told the waiting media persons soon after landing at the Imphal International Tulihal Airport on a two-day visit today.

The interlocutor arrived in an Indigo flight around 11:45 am today, and left for The Classic Hotel where he will be staying during his visit.

RN Ravi also met the State Chief Minister and representatives of CSOs seperately regarding the prevailing situation in the State following the signing of the peace accord.

Sources said Ravi had also met representatives of the United Naga Council.

He also met representatives of the United Committee Manipur, All Manipur United Clubs Organisation and Committee of Civil Society of Kangleipak around 3:30 pm.

Following the meeting, leaders of the UCM and other CSOs briefed media persons on their meeting.

UCM president Johnson said on receiving an invitation from the interlocutor, representatives of the AMUCO, UCM and the CCSK went to meet him around 3:30 pm.

During the meeting, a six-point memorandum was submitted to Ravi reflecting on the various resolutions arrived at following several consultative meetings among the organisation regarding the Accord he said.

The CSOs have urged the Centre to clear the mystery surrounding the ongoing talk between the Government of India and the NSCN (IM) and to provide a white paper on the issue.

The people of the State have a right to know of what the agreement is all about he said.

The memorandum said that the people of Manipur have every right to know the entire peace process going on between the Centre and the NSCN (IM) that might directly or indirectly affect Manipur`™s historical and political status and that the GoI should produce a white paper on the peace process with the NSCN (IM) from 1997 onwards and also the details of accord.

Johnson elaborated the memorandum has also sought that the government of India should respect the distinctive historical identity and political status of Manipur and its multi-cultural pluralistic society based on the principles of co-existence and communal harmony while ensuring integrity of its body-polity.

The memorandum also included that political aspirations and socio-economic advancement of all the ethnic communities of Manipur be ensured and protected with the administrative jurisdiction of Manipur and any culture and administrative arrangement on the basis of ethnicity is unacceptable as it directly tantamount to communal and sectarian demarcation of aspirations and voices of smaller communities in Manipur.

The struggles and sacrifices of the Naga people in Nagaland and the same is expected from the people of Nagaland to the people of Manipur it added.

Meanwhile womenfolk belonging to different CSOs under the Coalition for Indigenous Rights Campaign (CIRCA) Manipur demonstrated against RN Ravi`™s visit, terming it as a mission to conspire hatred and enmity among various communities inhabiting the State.

Hundreds of women holding placards and banners shouted slogans like `Go back RN Ravi` and `Manipur`™s territorial integrity should not be infringed.`

They stood along the Imphal Airport road from Keisampat junction to Churachandpur parking area.

A large number of womenfolk also took out a protest march in the heart of city against RN Ravi. However, police dispersed the womenfolk.

Traffic was halted for half an hour around Kangla traffic circle because of the mass rally.

Protestors held placards reading `Go back RN Ravi,` We don`™t welcome you in Manipur,` Don`™t come back again RN Ravi.`

The womenfolk also announced that the three Khwairamband Keithels will remain shut for the day tomorrow.

Read more / Original news source: http://kanglaonline.com/2015/09/centres-interlocutor-rn-ravi-in-imphal-on-consultation-visit/

LAMKA, September 10: The 60-hour bandh called by the JAC Churachandpur ended today in a peaceful manner with no major incident of any violence except for peaceful demonstrations at different road intersections by womenfolk including at the Tiddim Road.

At Kanvai Village, womenfolk also crowded the road with womenfolk more than 40 villages demonstrating at one site.

Demonstrations were held at more than 20 places starting from Kangvai to Mata Village along the Tiddim Road.

At Kangvaoite, Molnom Bazar womenfolk shouted anti-government and anti-MLA slogans.

The protestors also burnt effigies of the tribal MLAs, CM and deputy CM.

The protestors also shouted slogans demanding punishment for all those involved in the death of the eight.

They also demanded resignation of the tribal MLAs.

At Molnom Village, protestor burnt effigies and demanded resignation of the tribal MLAs, withdrawal of the bills.

They also shouted `dy CM Gaikhangam Who are you, down down,` `Pungzathang: Tonsing, don`t sold our rights, T Manga Vaiphei open your mouth and eyes for your people,` `Vungzagin Valte, don`™t play with the blood of your people,` `Chaltonlien, betrayer of the tribal people,` `Speaker of Manipur Assembly don`t grab our land,` `TN Hàaokip don`t sold out our ancestors land` and `Down Down Manipur government.`

A protestor also told IFP that they will try to block the present MLAs from contesting the election again, let alone vote for them.

`I will never vote for these cowards and traitors of tribal rights, interest and land,` she said.

`I will urge more people not to have sympathy for them and call for social boycott of these politicians`™ said the women who was leading protesters at Koite area with seriousness writ on her face.

Meanwhile a team of five ADCC members led by it`s chairman Langkhanpau Guite are in Delhi to appeal the Centre on the issue in the State.

It is also learnt that a sit in protest as staged by the Zomi Inkuan at USA in front of the Indian Embassy in Washington DC and a petition submitted to the Indian Ambassador.

They also said that they will knock the doors of the UN.

The Churachandpur District Diesel Auto Owners`™ Association has also released a press handout stating that the association will take out a protest rally on August 11 to show their resentment against the security forces and condemnation of the three bills passed on August 31 starting noon tomorrow from Kawnpui Village Public ground.

Read more / Original news source: http://kanglaonline.com/2015/09/jac-churachandpur-bandh-concludes/