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Newmai News Network
Imphal | November 12
Manipur Chief Minister, N Biren Singh urged the people and different civil society organizations of the State “to remain calm until the Central Government invites stakeholders for consultation to hammer out an amicable solution to Naga issue.” He made this appeal while addressing a press conference at the Durbar Hall of Chief Minister's Secretariat in Imphal on November 12.
Urging the public to have trust in the Government, the CM informed that Union Home Minister Amit Shah “reiterated” the Central Government's firm commitment to a team of the State Government on November 10 in New Delhi that anything detrimental to Manipur's interest would never be done in the process of bringing a “final solution to the Naga peace process.”
The Chief Minister said that the same commitment of the Central Government was clearly reflected in the latest public statement of Nagaland Governor and Naga peace talks’ interlocutor RN Ravi. "As such, it is time to maintain calm until the Central Government invites stakeholders for discussion to find a final agreement with the Nagas," Biren added.
The Manipur Chief Minister also informed that the Union Minister assured them that all the stakeholders would be consulted before inking a "final accord with the Nagas." Stating that the State Government has full trust in the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Union Home Minister Amit Shah that they would keep their words on the issue, the Chief Minister requested the people of Manipur to have confidence in the State Government as well.
Informing that the Central Government is likely to begin consultations of stakeholders soon, Biren also stated that the State Government desires to meet the members of Coordination Committee on Manipur Integrity (COCOMI) and other stakeholders before consultations with the Centre.
Claiming that Manipur has been able to march forward and achieve different developmental goals in various fields in the past two and half years "thereby sending out a positive message to the world that it is no more a strife-torn zone," the Chief Minister observed that this "hard-earned new image" should never be shattered at any cost. Opining that boycott call or demand for postponement of the State's biggest tourism festival 'Manipur Sangai Festival' may send out a wrong message to the outside world, the Chief Minister urged the civil society organizations and people of the State not to disturb the festival.
He also said that the State Government is fully confident that all the "indigenous people" of the State would live together and no land or community or group would be separated from Manipur. "As such, nobody should do anything which may disturb communal harmony at this crucial juncture." The Chief Minister also urged the media to extend co-operation to the Government in maintaining calm and oneness among people.
"Ever since the "October 31 deadline for concluding Naga peace talks was set," the State Government had series of consultations with different civil society organizations and community leaders besides holding all political parties meeting and convening numerous meetings of MLAs of ruling parties," Biren said, while adding that resolutions of these meetings were forwarded and submitted to the Central leaders. "As such, the Central Government understands the wish of the people of Manipur", he added.
