IMPHAL, Feb 20: BJP can never wrest power from Congress by concealing the contents of the Framework Agreement signed between the Government of India and NSCN-IM, and by using the militant outfit as the cat’s paw, asserted Chief Minister Okram Ibobi.
A flag hoisting ceremony of Congress candidate in Naoriya Pakhanglakpa AC RK Anand held today at the latter’s Kwakeithel Akham Leikai residence under the aegis of Naoriya Pakhanglakpa Block Congress Committee
After hoisting the party’s flag, a public meeting was held at Lourembam Leikai ground where O Ibobi categorically stated that BJP’s efforts to wrest power with the support of NSCN-IM and the UNC will never be fruitful.
“This does not mean we are NSCN-IM’s antagonists but BJP leaders should not take the people of Manipur as fools”, Ibobi stated.
As long as the people of Manipur stand united and put their faith in Congress party, New Delhi can never alter the territorial boundary of Manipur at their whim, he said.
The future of Manipur should be decided by her people, not by those individuals who come from Delhi or Assam. No external forces would be allowed to interfere in the internal affairs of Manipur, Ibobi asserted.
Taking serious note of Union Home Minister Rajnath Singh’s verbal assurance that the Framework Agreement would not affect the territorial integrity of Manipur in any manner, the Chief Minister asked why the Central Government is still keeping the Framework Agreement a closely guarded secret if it does not contain anything inimical to the interest of Manipur.
The verbal assurance has only aggravated the suspicion of Manipuri people, Ibobi continued.
After the Framework Agreement was signed, some Nagaland MLAs together with MLAs of some other North Eastern States went to Delhi and met AICC president Sonia Gandhi.
When they appealed to Sonia Gandhi to support the Framework Agreement, the AICC president replied that she could not support the agreement without knowing what was written in it, recalled Ibobi.
Altering the territorial boundary of Manipur would entail amendment of the Constitution which would require consent of the Parliament. It is not in BJP’s power to amend the Constitution without consent of Congress party, Ibobi asserted.
All the people settled in both the hills and valley of Manipur are free citizens of India.
“Manipur is a part of India but we would not simply accept their dictates. Manipuri people were never subservient to any Nation since historical ages”, continued the Chief Minister.
All the Naga members of NSCN-IM, Kuki militant groups and other militant groups operating in Manipur are brothers and sisters, and they would certainly realize the reality one day. “Those people who come from Delhi will never solve the problems and issues of Manipur. They should be resolved amongst ourselves through peaceful dialogue”, Ibobi stated.
He then appealed to the people of Naoriya Pakhanglakpa AC to re-elect RK Anand and let him take active roles in resolving the many outstanding issues of the State.
Deputy Chief Minister Gaikhangam asserted that the ensuing election is a crucial battle between pro-Manipur and anti-Manipur forces.
If Manipur must be saved, people ought to vote for Congress. Stating that BJP has its hands in the ongoing indefinite economic blockade, Gaikhangam warned that BJP will draw blank if the economic blockade is not lifted.
RK Anand stated that the State Government will never surrender to the economic blockade.
He also appealed to all the people to vote for Congress in order to save Manipur.
Source: The Sangai Express
