Manipur News

Newmai News Network

DIMAPUR | Oct 8

Rh. Raising, convenor of steering committee which is the highest decision making body of NSCN (IM), said that the “Framework Agreement recognises the sovereign right of the Nagas”.

Rh. Raising said this while speaking in the “Joint Council Meeting on Indian and Burmese Colonialism” on October 6, according to NSCM (IM). His speech was made available to media houses this evening.

According to Rh. Raising, the ‘Framework Agreement’ “has recognised the unique identity” and the history of the Nagas. “It has also recognised the territory of the Nagas by stating that Nagas are the owner of their land. It is also mutually agreed upon that integration of all Naga territories is the legitimate right of the Nagas”, he maintained.

Bringing an honourable and acceptable solution to both parties, co-existence of the two entities and share sovereignty of the two entities are mutually agreed, Rh Raising said.

“We can assure you that the ‘Framework Agreement’ will be our political wall that protects our land, our identity, our rights, our culture, our history and our future from all impending dangers of hostile raging waves roaring against the Nagas on the one hand and it will also be a strong durable bridge between India and Nagalim on the other,” the speech read. 

“And that Nagas will decide their future by themselves, not by others anymore. Hebron will be the Centre of Naga politics, government, culture, civilisation and the seat of their high command”, the NSCN (IM) leader’s speech added.   

According to the convenor of the steering committee,  the era of building the infrastructures of a social system for creation of a positive social environment, scientific education system for production of generations of scientists in different fields, material and spiritual developments of our land and people, building industries for massive productions, marketing, trade and commerce for generation of revenues and others for making our country a land of peace and progress and a society of higher order has come.

“It is now the time of building the damaged psychology of our people; it is the time of building relationship with our neighbours, it is the time of reconciliation with India, it is the time to go to the house of the Lord and praise and worship the Creator of Nagalim,” Rh. Raising added.

The NSCN (IM) leader continued that the “waves of Indian and Burmese colonialism in Nagalim have been covertly or overtly wrecking the land, the mind and the culture of the Nagas without ceasing”. The Indian and the Burmese states have already established their political out posts in Nagalim in the guise of development and security threat, Rh. Raising added.

According to Rh. Raising, the forces of colonialism are rampant everywhere in Nagalim. “They are: the Muslim immigrants from Bangladesh, the Nepalese from Nepal, the Kukis from Burmese Chin state, the Chakmas from Chittagong hills, Bangladesh, tea gardeners from Bihar and Odisha and various business communities from Indian sub-continent. If we do not take strong political and legal steps to check them today, our children will face insurmountable problem from them tomorrow,” the NSCN (IM) leader added.

According to the NSCN (IM) leader, “Indianisation of Nagalim through import voters” from Indian mainland by the Naga politicians is a matter to be viewed seriously. He added that “status and money-monger politicians don’t care for the future of their people”.

Rh. Raising also said that “colonization of Nagalim” through Indian political parties is another established policy of the government of India. “The Nagas of Congress party, BJP party or other parties are consciously or unconsciously the agents of Indian colonial policy. Hypnotized or drunk with the deception of tempting political bait of the enemies they become advocates for the wrong cause of the aggressors. It is so because all Indian political parties are Delhi oriented which always stands diametrically opposed to the concept of Naga nation,” he added.

“We hope all the rational Nagas understand the reality that the Nagas are now placed in a safe and secure position by the Framework Agreement,” the convenor of the highest decision making body of NSCN (IM) added. 

IMPHAL | Oct 8

Chief minister, N. Biren Singh has said that solution to the Naga issue should not disturb peace in Manipur, while maintaining that an early resolution of peace talks between the Centre and NSCN (IM) is desirable in the interest of the entire Northeast region, according to a report in the Indian Express.

The report said the chief minister asserted that any agreement on the Naga issue which hurts the interest of Manipur is unacceptable, Biren said that there will not be any compromise on the matter. Large areas of the state are inhabited by Nagas.

“We want early resolution to any issue that affects the people. The same applies to the ongoing talks between Centre and NSCN (IM),” the report quoted the chief minister.

The report said Biren was responding to a query on the state government’s position on the framework agreement signed between the Centre and the National Socialist Council of Nagaland, Issac-Muivah group (NSCN-IM) in August 2015 to bring an end to India’s longest running insurgency, which has so far failed to yield a final outcome.

Among others, NSCN (IM) has sought integration of Naga inhabited areas of the Northeast and autonomy of the proposed region. The demand mostly affects Manipur as the state has vast areas inhabited by Nagas, it added.

“As far as NSCN (IM) is concerned, Manipur government is not a party to the talks with the Centre … however, what we have asked the Centre is that whenever there is a discussion that involves interests of the state, then our views and consent should be taken. There cannot be any compromise on the interest of Manipur,” the report quoted Biren.

He further said, “We have made it amply clear to the Centre that we don’t have any problem with whatever solution that is arrived at, as long as it is confined to the territorial limits of Nagaland,” the report said.

Singh said even other states like Assam and Arunachal Pradesh which can also be affected were also in favour of resolving the Naga issue within Nagaland itself, it added.

“I have been in touch with my counterparts of Assam and Arunachal Pradesh. We want a solution to the Naga issue at the earliest within Nagaland without disturbing others as it is in the interest of the people of the Northeast,” Biren was quoted as saying.

Asked about the possibility of Centre agreeing to demand of integration of Naga inhabited areas, he said, “I don’t think the government of India would want a solution that is going to create greater chaos and a bigger problem in the region,” it added.

In case such a scenario was to arise, Biren said, “then the Manipur Assembly will take up the issue and take a resolution against any infringement on the territorial integrity of the state”, the report further quoted Biren.

When asked about lifting of the contentious Armed Forces Special Powers Act (AFSPA) entirely from the state, Biren said his government has been working to improve law and order situation so that it could be removed in the long run, it said.

“However, the current situation doesn’t warrant lifting of the act entirely from the state. We are working to improve the situation. So, as and when it improves, we will work towards it (removing the act),” he was quoted as saying.

At present except for seven Assembly constituencies in Imphal valley, the act is in force in the rest of Manipur, the report said.

Human rights activists have been campaigning for removal of the act from the state as it gives armed forces extraordinary power that includes immunity from legal action, and the licence to shoot and arrest people without obtaining warrants.

From Our Correspondent

UKHRUL | Oct 8

Executive Council of the Student’s Union of Pettigrew College (SUPC) told media that the student’s union will intensify its agitation from October 11 onwards, for which the college will be shut down indefinitely.

The decision was made in a press conference led by its general secretary, Phuiya Shimrah in presence of social and cultural secretary, Rathanmi Malung, secretary of boys common room, Khayui Kasom and secretary of girls common room, Soreichon Lungleng.

The general secretary stated that the student’s union had submitted a memorandum to the education minister, government of Manipur in September, for kind intervention and for immediate address to the ongoing issue. However, no response has been made so far, he claimed.

It may be mentioned that the student’s union have been demanding for immediate removal of present principal of the college due to administration failure. Classes for maths, physics and chemistry have not been effective due to shortage of teachers and irregularities. The memorandum also includes regular conduct of classes. In spite of the assurance given by the local MLA, there has been improper functioning of the college administration.

The general secretary stated that as nothing positive result has yielded, the agitation is compelled to carry out and the authority concerned would be responsible for any untoward incident.