IT News
Imphal, Oct 15:
The Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) Manipur has raised serious concerns over the tripartite talks convened today by the Union Home Ministry, involving Meitei, Kuki, and Naga MLAs. While welcoming the dialogue, AAP Manipur warned of dire consequences if the discussions result in an outcome similar to the controversial Merger Agreement of 1949, which many believe was signed under duress by Maharaja Bodhachandra.
Speaking at a press conference held at the Manipur Press Club, AAP Manipur Activity Coordinator, Vishwanath Thingnam, expressed the party’s apprehension over the future of the state. “The fate of Manipur depends on the outcome of today’s talks. Any attempt to divide the state will not be accepted by AAP,” he asserted. He emphasized that the primary objective of the Manipur MLAs should be to safeguard the territorial integrity of the state.
In his address, Vishwanath called for the inclusion of critical issues such as the Manipur Land Revenue (MLR) Act, Article 371C, and the removal of and Kuki and Mizo communities from the Scheduled Tribes (ST) category.
He voiced the party’s suspicion that the MLAs might be pressured into signing an agreement that could lead to the division of Manipur, recalling that similar demands were made by Kuki militant groups under the Suspension of Operations (SoO) agreement.
“Various media reports after the return of the Modi-led NDA government indicated that the Center had agreed to the creation of a new territory, as demanded by Kuki armed groups under the SoO. This poses a serious threat to Manipur’s unity,” Vishwanath warned.
It is also noteworthy that on June 25, 2022, a Kuki militant group held discussions with authorities in Delhi, leading to agreements that have since escalated tensions in the state. This has drawn parallels to the 1949 Merger Agreement, signed under contentious circumstances, which remains a point of contention in the ongoing unrest.
The AAP representative called for the abrogation of the SoO agreement with Kuki groups, stating that such a move would bring stability to the region.
The party highlighted the implications of Article 371C, which grants special provisions to certain communities, and urged a re-examination of its impact on Manipur’s diverse population, particularly in relation to the Kuki and Mizo groups.
