IMPHAL, Feb 24: Union Minister of State (Home) Kiren Rijiju has stated that the rumour that the Framework Agreement signed between the Government of India and NSCN-IM on August 3, 2015 may affect the territorial integrity of Manipur is devoid of any basis.
Speaking to media persons at Hotel Classic Grande here today, Rijiju maintained that the Framework Agreement is not a final agreement. A final agreement would be reached only after the dialogue process ends.
The political dialogue is not an isolated process. Centre’s interlocutor for the political dialogue, RN Ravi has been going to different places and consulting all stake holders.
There is not an iota of truth in the assumption that the Framework Agreement may affect the integrity of Manipur. Yet some people have been deliberately trying misinterpret the Framework Agreement without having any knowledge about it.
The Framework Agreement is only a half page document and it only acknowledges the uniqueness of Naga history and Naga problems.
The half page document merely states the position of the Government of India regarding the Naga issue but the final outcome of the dialogue process would be determined after consulting all stake holders, Rijiju stated.
He then appealed to all concerned not to mix the Framework Agreement with electoral politics.
Talking about the indefinite economic blockade, the MoS (Home) maintained that the Central Government cannot intervene into the issue as law and order is a State subject.
Even though construction and maintenance of National Highways are responsibilities of the Central Government, law and order problems that break out along National Highways should be tackled by respective State Governments. As such, the Government of Manipur is not warranted to blame the Central Government for UNC’s economic blockade, Rijiju asserted.
The State Government aggravated the situation in their attempts to score political mileage out of the human tragedy that is unfolding in the State of Manipur on account of the protracted blockade, he continued.
People’s growing suffering and the ever increasing prices of all commodities in Manipur because of the blockade is quite unfortunate and unacceptable, the Union MoS (Home) remarked.
In earlier elections held in Manipur, BJP was fighting for its presence but this time, the party has received massive support and it would certainly form the next Government with absolute majority.
On being enquired if BJP would go for any post poll alliance if the need arises to form Government, Rijiju maintained that BJP would win absolute majority.
As testified by the massive responses seen in both the hills and valley of Manipur, it is clear that BJP is supported by all communities and it is confident that the party can build a pan-India identity for the first time. Even as Congress has been routed from other parts of the country, it is trying to hold on to power in Manipur. But this time, the Congress Government will be thrown out and BJP will get a golden opportunity to serve the people of Manipur, Rijiju asserted.
Source: The Sangai Express
