Framework agitations not for taking political advantage: Ibobi

From Our Correspondent

THOUBAL | Nov 29

In the sit in protest organised by Wabagai block congress committee under Manipur Pradesh congress committee at Wabagai Lamkhai bazaar, Wabagai assembly constituency, demanding the disclosure of framework agreement, former chief minister, O. Ibobi said the agitations do not intend to make any political gains, as it is held to save Manipur from breaking apart. 

Signing up of agreements is conducted not only India, but all over the world, he said. However, it is openly debated before an understanding is made between the two parties and they are never kept under secrecy, he maintained.  If one of the parties does not agree with the terms laid down, then no agreements will be made. Therefore, the framework agreement that was signed up between the Narendra Modi and the leader of insurgent group NSCN – IM, Muivah on August 3, 2015 is the outcome of agreements by the two parties on the terms, he added. 

The signing up of the agreements proves that the government of India has given consent to the target of NSCN – IM which is to break apart Manipur, he alleged. No prior information about the agreement was provided to the chief minister of Assam, Manipur and Arunachal Pradesh, he said adding  even if the agreements may not affect the territorial boundaries, suspicions are extremely high that autonomy  is about to be granted. This would akin to creating a state within a state and it would sow the seeds of breaking up Manipur, he said.  Congress would stand against such motives, he added. 

We also would like that the demands of NSCN-IM be granted and resolved forever. However, we cannot accept the ways of giving harm to one community in order to please another, he continued.  Manipur may be small, but it is like a small India. We only demand the disclosure of the contents, and we are not trying to take political advantage out of the situation, he added.  

The ongoing agitations shall continue until the truth behind the framework agreement is known, he said. 

Deputy chief minister, MLA of Nungba assembly constituency, Gaikhangam said during the long congress rule in India, Assam accord, Punjab accord and Mizoram accord took place but none of them resulted in creating such problems. Agreements should be transparent and should not be kept hidden in a veil of secrecy, he maintaine. However, the framework agreement is kept hidden and terms of the agreement are not disclosed. This is the main cause behind all the panic.  If we get to hear that NSCN –IM has been granted autonomy as a Christmas gift, the BJP leaders of Manipur should be held responsible for it, he added. Because the BJP leaders of the state assured that the framework agreement does not have anything specific, except it is just a signing up of agreement on papers, he alleged. If a second June 18 occurs in Manipur, then the BJP of the state will be held responsible, he added.