DIMAPUR, JULY 16 (MExN): Manipur State Chief Minister, N Biren Singh has stated that the Government of Manipur would be compelled to take “extreme” steps if the ‘Naga Deal’ hurts Manipur’s interests.
In an interview with The Hindustan Times, the Manipur CM said that while his government is in favour of a peaceful settlement of the Naga political issue, the central government must take the consent of the state assembly if the settlement involves any part of Manipur – be it cultural, administrative, traditional, economic or territorial.
The Manipur CM is in New Delhi with his entire cabinet to convey the state’s viewpoint to the Centre on a possible peace agreement with Naga political groups. “If there is any involvement of Manipur in any way, in any form, we want the message to be conveyed to the state government. We will convene a state assembly for this purpose. If the assembly agrees unanimously, we can say go ahead. Otherwise, it will be very difficult,” he said.
Stating that his entire cabinet might be forced to resign, he said: “There is a state, there is a constitutional scheme, there is a federal structure, and so if there is any decision, please convey to us in advance so that we can take a decision in the assembly. If not, then all elected members, including me, will be an in an extreme position,” the Manipur CM stated.
He further revealed that the Manipur government seeks a veto power over the deal, adding: “If the state assembly does not agree, it should not happen.”
Singh went on to state that in Manipur, “you cannot identify that this is a Naga-inhabited area, Kuki-inhabited area, Meitei-inhabited area,” adding that if any decision is taken without the state assembly’s consensus, “the repercussions will be very, very serious.”
“You saw what happened on June 18, 2001. The assembly was burnt. The MLAs were attacked. State, land, boundary issues are very emotional,” the CM said.
On the central BJP leaders’ response, Singh stated that “Many Delhi people do not know the situation there. Our assembly has an assembly within the assembly. Twenty tribal members, from the hill areas, are a part of the Hill Areas Committee. If we want to take any decision on the hills, we have to take clearance from them. But no one knows that.”
He further claimed that “without knowing the ground reality, some people are pushing.” Adding that this is a political issue, the CM warned that “to please one state, you may lose three states. That should not happen.”
Singh also revealed that he has apprised the Sangh Parivar that “we are a part of the nation, we want to live together.” “I have urged the concerned people not to touch Manipur; and that we will do whatever is necessary for development of tribal people. They have listened. One happy point is they have tried to know the reality,” he stated.
On the question of Naga identity within Manipur state, the CM claimed that there is a “communication gap,” while pointing out that there have been two Naga Chief Ministers of the state, one of them being the state’s longest serving.
“Vested interests have instigated this…But yes, there has been a problem from our part. There was a failure to redress grievances. If it had happened timely, the situation would not be there,” he admitted.
