IMPHAL, August 4: A day after the historic signing of the peace accord between the Government of India and the NSCN (IM), the Government of Manipur continues to remain in the dark of its contents.
The government is awaiting the full text of the accord from the Centre, although the Union Home Minister has ruled out any possibilities of compromising on the territorial integrity of Manipur, Chief Minister Okram Ibobi Singh told media persons during a press conference held this evening at his secretariat following a joint meeting held with Congress legislators.
The Chief Minister, however, declared that the Government of Manipur, under any circumstances, will not accept any form of compromise in regards to the territorial integrity of the State.
He said `Nagas are our brethren and we have been praying that their issue is resolved once and for all.`
Nevertheless, apparently oblivious of the contents of the accord, he said that he was quite confused whether to interpret the development as good or bad.
The Chief Minister excoriated the dealing of the BJP led NDA government in the Centre, and stated that the Prime Minister Office and MHA have overlooked Manipur this time unlike the UPA Government who always intimated the Manipur government with matters pertaining to the demands of the NSCN-IM.
The common belief of the people that the Prime Minister of India is transparent and federal minded, and has sincere intention to bring about a change in the North-eastern States has turned out to be wrong, he pointed out referring to the signing of the accord which was undertaken without taking into confidence any of the North-eastern States.
Taking serious note of the entire episode, Ibobi compared the very act with that of a dictator.
Chief Minister Okram Ibobi Singh revealed that he had contacted the Union Home Minister, Rajnath Singh yesterday, asking for the full text of the accord.
He said he had apprised the Union Minister of how the entire Manipur was taken by surprise by the unexpected turn of events and the adverse impact on the credibility of Manipur Government.
He further disclosed that in his response, the Home Minister ruled out any possibilities of compromising the territorial integrity of Manipur and assured to provide the full text of the `Peace Accord` once it is tabled today in the ongoing session of the parliament.
The Chief Minister also drew the attention of the Centre to make details of the peace accord a public domain at the earliest to clear the uneasy atmosphere in the aftermath of the signing of the accord.
