Imphal | May 26 : The meeting of political parties in Manipur has opposed the opening of Naga People’s Front (NPF) in Manipur. The meeting held at the chief minister’s secretariat in Imphal was attended by chief minister O Ibobi Singh (Congress), Th. Debendra Singh (Congress), Gaikhangam (Congress), P Parijat Singh (CPI), Sarat Salam (CPI-M), Yumnam Ratan Singh (CPI-M), Radhabinod Koijam (NCP), Ch Ajang Khongsai (NPP) and O Joy (MPP).
In a press communiqué signed by chief minister O Ibobi Singh said the meeting studied the aims and objects of the NPF enumerated on its constitution and pointed out the article II(2)(c) which states, “To work for unity and integrity of the people by integrating all contiguous Naga inhabited areas under one administrative roof and also to provide protection to all the ethnic groups who are indigenous inhabitants of the State.”
Reacting to this particular article, the political parties’ meeting said that this provision challenges the territorial integrity of neighbouring north east states like Assam, Arunachal Pradesh and Manipur. “On this count, opening of the NPF unit in Manipur State at Senapati is strongly opposed by the meeting as it would lead to instability of Manipur State and spread disharmony among different communities therein.” The meeting then pointed out the NPF article X(A)(1) which states, “Any citizen of Nagaland who subscribes to the principles of the Nagaland People’s Front (NPF) shall be eligible for primary membership of the party.”
Again, reacting to this article, the meeting today said, “It is thus clear that membership of NPF will extend only to the citizens of Nagaland and to no others. In the circumstances the proposed launching of the NPF unit at Senapati will tantamount to extension of the territory of Nagaland into Manipur and other northeastern states to further the demand for creation of the Greater Nagaland.”
The chief minister’s communiqué said the meeting also opposed to the opening of a communal political party in Manipur as it would violate the peaceful co-existence of various communities in the State.
The meeting also decided to send a copy each of the resolution to the Prime Minister, the AICC chief, the Union home minister, the Election Commission of India and to all the chief ministers of the north eastern states.
In a press communiqué signed by chief minister O Ibobi Singh said the meeting studied the aims and objects of the NPF enumerated on its constitution and pointed out the article II(2)(c) which states, “To work for unity and integrity of the people by integrating all contiguous Naga inhabited areas under one administrative roof and also to provide protection to all the ethnic groups who are indigenous inhabitants of the State.”
Reacting to this particular article, the political parties’ meeting said that this provision challenges the territorial integrity of neighbouring north east states like Assam, Arunachal Pradesh and Manipur. “On this count, opening of the NPF unit in Manipur State at Senapati is strongly opposed by the meeting as it would lead to instability of Manipur State and spread disharmony among different communities therein.” The meeting then pointed out the NPF article X(A)(1) which states, “Any citizen of Nagaland who subscribes to the principles of the Nagaland People’s Front (NPF) shall be eligible for primary membership of the party.”
Again, reacting to this article, the meeting today said, “It is thus clear that membership of NPF will extend only to the citizens of Nagaland and to no others. In the circumstances the proposed launching of the NPF unit at Senapati will tantamount to extension of the territory of Nagaland into Manipur and other northeastern states to further the demand for creation of the Greater Nagaland.”
The chief minister’s communiqué said the meeting also opposed to the opening of a communal political party in Manipur as it would violate the peaceful co-existence of various communities in the State.
The meeting also decided to send a copy each of the resolution to the Prime Minister, the AICC chief, the Union home minister, the Election Commission of India and to all the chief ministers of the north eastern states.
Manipur govt. tells Rio to defer Senapati visit
Dimapur, May 26 (MExN): The Government of Manipur today asked Chief Minister of Nagaland Neiphiu Rio to defer his May 28 visit to Manipur’s Senapati district, considering the “sensitive and highly volatile” situation in Manipur, “particularly in Senapati district.” Chief Secretary of Manipur DS Poonia wrote an official letter addressed to OSD to Chief Minister of Nagaland Varghese Mammen over Rio’s scheduled visit to Senapati to attend a Naga People’s Front function.
The issue has been considered by the Manipur state Cabinet today, the letter said. “The Cabinet noted the sensitive and highly volatile law and order situation currently prevailing in Manipur particularly in Senapati district. The four-month long blockade of NH-39 and 53 during 2010 which had disrupted supply of essential commodities to Manipur and caused immense hardship to the people of Manipur is still fresh in the minds of the government and people of Manipur.”
On advice of the Ministry of Home Affairs, Government of India, talks with the United Naga Council are scheduled to be held at Senapati on May 30, the letter said. “It has been assessed that any disturbance at Senapati HQ on May 28 when NPF holds its function will impact adversely on the talks with UNC. Senior officers from MHA will be participating in talks with UNC,” the Manipur government said.
Considering this “highly volatile law and order situation” in Manipur “particularly Senapati district”, the letter said, the Cabinet has decided that the state government of Nagaland be requested to defer the proposed visit of the chief minister of Nagaland and other VIPs “for the time being”. The Manipur Cabinet also decided to apprise and seek the intervention of Government of India, the letter said.
The issue has been considered by the Manipur state Cabinet today, the letter said. “The Cabinet noted the sensitive and highly volatile law and order situation currently prevailing in Manipur particularly in Senapati district. The four-month long blockade of NH-39 and 53 during 2010 which had disrupted supply of essential commodities to Manipur and caused immense hardship to the people of Manipur is still fresh in the minds of the government and people of Manipur.”
On advice of the Ministry of Home Affairs, Government of India, talks with the United Naga Council are scheduled to be held at Senapati on May 30, the letter said. “It has been assessed that any disturbance at Senapati HQ on May 28 when NPF holds its function will impact adversely on the talks with UNC. Senior officers from MHA will be participating in talks with UNC,” the Manipur government said.
Considering this “highly volatile law and order situation” in Manipur “particularly Senapati district”, the letter said, the Cabinet has decided that the state government of Nagaland be requested to defer the proposed visit of the chief minister of Nagaland and other VIPs “for the time being”. The Manipur Cabinet also decided to apprise and seek the intervention of Government of India, the letter said.
NPF to go ahead with Manipur trip
Dimapur, May 26 (MExN): Another cold-shoulder from the Government of Manipur notwithstanding, the Naga People’s Front (NPC) today assured that the party this time, led by Chief minister of Nagaland Neiphiu Rio will go ahead with its schedule to be in Senapati, Manipur on May 28 for an NPF function.
Exasperated NPF leaders today vented their displeasure at the Manipur government’s asking the Nagaland government to defer the scheduled visit of the chief minister of Nagaland.
The NPF leaders questioned the constant ‘antagonism’ of the Manipur government and why it is ‘always like this’ and ‘always doing these things.’ In February this year, there were condemnations in the media that a team of Nagaland government leaders led by Planning Minister TR Zeliang was not even offered governmental courtesy by the Manipur government when Zeliang was in Manipur. Even State-to-State Protocols such as security were denied to the Nagaland team, according to media reports.
General Secretary of the NPF K Kenye and Media Secretary to the NPF, Abu Metha informed late in the evening that the party would be going ahead with the program. The NPF leaders said the response of the Manipur government is of no surprise. However, they informed, in spite of the ‘antagonism’ again from Okram Ibobi’s government, the NPF is going ahead this time.
The NPF leaders has been expecting something of this nature from the government of Manipur, the former MLA informed further. ‘Such attitudes of the Manipur government, considering this is not the first time, are unbecoming,’ senior NPF leader K Kenye told The Morung Express Thursday, May 26 evening. ‘He recalled the trip of TR Zeliang to Manipur earlier. He was not even given the protocol of state-to-state government courtesy every state in the country gives to government leaders of other states.
Kenye said India is a democratic country and strongly implied that the NPF being a government-recognized political party has every right to undertake activities associated with the normal motions of a political party. ‘We are not going there to dislodge the Manipur or anything. Such (attitude or action of the Manipur government) is no surprise. We were expecting it,” the NPF leader said. Queried whether the NPF would be meeting to discuss the matter, Kenye said meeting to discuss the matter, if at all convened, would only be tomorrow. However, he assured that the NPF would go ahead.
The NPF’s media secretary Abu Metha said every citizen has the constitutional right to visit any place and the party is simply working on engagements as any political party would, in one state or any other as with the myriad of political parties across India.
Later on, after the interaction, the NPF leader called back to inform this daily that the party has decided to go ahead with the program as scheduled. ‘We will go ahead, our people, brothers and sisters are waiting for us there and we cannot disappoint them,’ he informed over phone. Queried if this is the decision of the NPF party (the communiqué from the Manipur Government was received only in the evening today), Metha responded in the a ffirmative.
Attempts were made to contact NPF President Dr. Shurhozelie but he was unavailable at the time of filing this news report.
Exasperated NPF leaders today vented their displeasure at the Manipur government’s asking the Nagaland government to defer the scheduled visit of the chief minister of Nagaland.
The NPF leaders questioned the constant ‘antagonism’ of the Manipur government and why it is ‘always like this’ and ‘always doing these things.’ In February this year, there were condemnations in the media that a team of Nagaland government leaders led by Planning Minister TR Zeliang was not even offered governmental courtesy by the Manipur government when Zeliang was in Manipur. Even State-to-State Protocols such as security were denied to the Nagaland team, according to media reports.
General Secretary of the NPF K Kenye and Media Secretary to the NPF, Abu Metha informed late in the evening that the party would be going ahead with the program. The NPF leaders said the response of the Manipur government is of no surprise. However, they informed, in spite of the ‘antagonism’ again from Okram Ibobi’s government, the NPF is going ahead this time.
The NPF leaders has been expecting something of this nature from the government of Manipur, the former MLA informed further. ‘Such attitudes of the Manipur government, considering this is not the first time, are unbecoming,’ senior NPF leader K Kenye told The Morung Express Thursday, May 26 evening. ‘He recalled the trip of TR Zeliang to Manipur earlier. He was not even given the protocol of state-to-state government courtesy every state in the country gives to government leaders of other states.
Kenye said India is a democratic country and strongly implied that the NPF being a government-recognized political party has every right to undertake activities associated with the normal motions of a political party. ‘We are not going there to dislodge the Manipur or anything. Such (attitude or action of the Manipur government) is no surprise. We were expecting it,” the NPF leader said. Queried whether the NPF would be meeting to discuss the matter, Kenye said meeting to discuss the matter, if at all convened, would only be tomorrow. However, he assured that the NPF would go ahead.
The NPF’s media secretary Abu Metha said every citizen has the constitutional right to visit any place and the party is simply working on engagements as any political party would, in one state or any other as with the myriad of political parties across India.
Later on, after the interaction, the NPF leader called back to inform this daily that the party has decided to go ahead with the program as scheduled. ‘We will go ahead, our people, brothers and sisters are waiting for us there and we cannot disappoint them,’ he informed over phone. Queried if this is the decision of the NPF party (the communiqué from the Manipur Government was received only in the evening today), Metha responded in the a ffirmative.
Attempts were made to contact NPF President Dr. Shurhozelie but he was unavailable at the time of filing this news report.
