Newmai News Network
Imphal | May 29
The Manipur Legislative Assembly today condemned the entry of Nagaland Chief Minister Neiphiu Rio to Senapati district of Manipur without informing the State government and also his alleged appeal to Naga legislators of Manipur to work for Naga unity, inside and outside the Manipur Assembly.
The House took the resolution to condemn Rio after a two hour long discussion in the assembly after the matter was raised by several ruling and opposition members, and also a call-attention motion moved by the Opposition. Taking serious note of Rio’s action, the House took up the matter as a general motion.
The resolution termed the conduct of the Nagaland Chief Minister as irresponsible. The House also urged the Centre to restrain Rio from committing such acts in future.
Rio reportedly entered Senapati district after inaugurating a police station on the other side of the border on May 25. He reportedly addressed a group of Naga people at Tadubi of Manipur. During his speech Rio reportedly urged Manipur’s Naga MLAs to work for Naga unification.
Raising the issue in the zero hour N Biren Singh of the ruling Congress condemned Rio and called for a House resolution to condemn what he called as an attempt to create law and order problem in Manipur by inciting communities living in Manipur.
His view was shared by Moiranthem Nara Singh also from the ruling bench. Nara Singh said that Rio trespassed into Manipur territory and his open call for Naga unification after coming to Manipur could trigger a communal violence in Manipur. The Manipur Chief Minister should appraise the Centre of Rio’s conduct, it was maintained.
Several Opposition members charged that Rio lowered the dignity of a Chief Minister’s office by behaving irresponsibly. Stating that his entry to Manipur without giving any information with his security escorts is in violation of the Constitution and he could be booked under relevant laws.
In his reply Chief Minister Ibobi Singh said the Nagaland government did not give any prior information about his visit to Manipur and ‘his clandestine entry to Manipur is very unfortunate.’ The matter was appraised before the Union Home Minister and Union Minister Oscar Fernandes during his recent visit to Delhi.
Ibobi also said that he had complained to the Home Minister the ongoing campaign by United Naga Council and All Naga Students Association Manipur to introduce Nagaland text books in the four hill districts of Manipur. Ibobi said he had no objection in condemning Rio’s conduct by the House.
The Chief Minister informed the House that Senapati police station registered a case against two Naga youths who displayed a festoon, which reads “Welcome to South Nagalim, Shri Ibobi Singh, Manipur chief minister,” when Ibobi Singh visited Senapati district headquarters on May 22. The festoon has been recovered by the police. Police are trying to arrest the two youths, he said.
