IMPHAL, Feb 24 : As many as 83 candidates belonging to different political parties including seven independent candidates have pledged to urge the Government of India to bring out a white paper on the Framework Agreement it signed with NSCN-IM on August 3, 2015.
At a swearing ceremony held today at GM Hall here under the aegis of UCM and CCSK, the candidates appended their signatures on a pre-drafted pledge/document titled ‘Pledge to the people of Manipur’.
The candidates who appended their signatures on the pledge included two from AIFB, two CPI-M, two from NPP, three from PRJA, 22 from BJP, four from MPP, eight from AITC, nine from INC, nine from NEIDP, four from NCP, six from CPI, two from LJP, three from MNDF and seven independent candidates.
It has been already informed that candidates who cannot append their signatures on the pledge today can do so at the office of the UCM at Lamphelpat before the ensuing election is held.
Speaking at the swearing function, UCM president Elangbam Johnson noted that the people of Manipur are apprehensive that the Framework Agreement may challenge the integrity of Manipur. Even as Union Minister of State (Home) Kiren Rijiju and interlocutor RN Ravi said that the people of Manipur would be consulted before a final solution is worked out, BJP has not said anything about the agreement. RN Ravi’s statement indicated that the two meetings UCM, CCSK and AMUCO held with the interlocutor did not go in vain.
During the meetings, it was made clear that any solution to the political dialogue is welcomed but any agreement that impinges upon the integrity of Manipur and its territorial integrity would not be tolerated, Johnson recalled.
The gathering held today was a call to all the candidates to stand united for the cause of Manipur. The candidates who get elected should translate their pledge into action. UCM and CCSK would send timely reminders to all the elected candidates, Johnson added. CCSK president Arjun Telheiba said that the pledge made today implies the elected candidates will work with responsibility when any forces threaten the integrity of Manipur.
He also conveyed gratitude to all the candidates who signed the pledge. It is reported that a similar campaing was held at Jiribam too.
Source: The Sangai Express
