Reacting to the statements made by Manipur chief minister, O. Ibobi against Nagaland chief minister T.R. Zeliang during his visit to Senapati, Chief Minister’s Office media cell clarified that Zeliang had “spoken about the need for the Nagas of Manipur to be united to protect their birth right over their land, customs, culture and tradition”.
Zeliang, at no point mentioned about territorial integration or disintegration, which Ibobi seems to have assumed, CMO added. However, CMO avoided any reaction to Manipur BJP spokesperson, O. Joy’s statement accusing Zeliang of “instigating disintegration not only Manipur but also unity of India” O Joy had also demanded Manipur government to take up legal action against T.R. Zeliang.
CMO said Zeliang had only expressed his opinion that the August 3, 2015 Framework Agreement seemed to be a Preamble, and not the final agreement, which was indicative of the intention of both the negotiating parties to settle the issue amicably without use of force or violence. Zeliang had also specifically stated that he believed the final agreement would be finalised after having wide-ranging consultations with the stake-holders. CMO, however said Ibobi seemed to have more than jumped the gun and had gone ahead to perceive apparitions where there were none. CMO alleged that “Ibobi had already segregated the communities of Manipur, injected the politically-major valley voters with venom, and on the eve of every election, unfailingly raise the issue of integrity of his State just to gain political mileage”.
Accusing Ibobi that he had already emotionally disintegrated the State into pieces, CMO said he (Ibobi) had once again shown how he had retained power all these years.
CMO said Ibobi has had the habit of making wild speculations against the tribals of Manipur, especially Nagas, to ensure that the people of the Valley, comprising of various communities and ethnic groups, are kept on tenterhooks before the elections and come together to vote for him.
“It would appear that his only political agenda for the people is to go against the Nagas and tribals just to fetch the votes of the varied communities of the Valley and hang on to power,” CMO stated.
Wondering why Ibobi was so vehement against Zeliang’s visit to Manipur, CMO reminded that Zeliang had never mentioned anything about disintegration of Manipur, but merely asked the Southern Nagas to stand united and fight for their birth right over traditional holdings of land and customary systems.
Rather than construing it as anti-Manipur, CMO opined that Ibobi should take it as a positive suggestion to ensure justice in the land. “And it is much better than taking the lives of scores of tribals protesting against Bills which were infamously dubbed “anti-tribal Bills” by none other than the communities of his own State,” CMO said.
CMO further said it was beyond comprehension as to why Ibobi was so opposed to peaceful overtures by various political groups to stop armed conflict and negotiate for peaceful solution.
Making it known to Ibobi of the Centre’s repeated reminder that all stake-holders would be consulted before working out the final agreement while solving the Naga political issue, CMO said he (Ibobi) should not assume that Nagaland chief minister would dictate the terms of the final agreement.
“It would be through mutual understanding to ensure lasting peace and harmony in the region.” It added.
Moreover, CMO said Zeliang was of the firm belief that good, neighbourly and cordial relations should, by all means, be maintained between different communities and States in the region for mutual growth and benefit.
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