While appreciating the Union Government on its effort to bring peace with the NSCN-IM, Manipur Legislative Assembly today reaffirmed its stand to protect the territorial integrity of the state for the 7th time in the aftermath of the accord signed between the NSCN-IM and the Government of India on August 3 this year. A resolution moved by the leader of the house was passed today by voice vote. The resolution moved by the leader of the house and passed today read – “ This House while welcoming the fresh initiative of the Government of India to bring peace in the North East region of the country, however resolves to urge the Union Government to ensure that the “Peace Accord” of 3d August, 2015 signed between the government of India and NSCN-IM and any subsequent agreements do not impinge on the territorial integrity and the administration of the State of Manipur. The House further resolves to urge the Union Government to ensure that all stakeholders, especially Manipur, are brought into confidence and transparency is brought into the peace process and no fresh discords should be brought while attempting to settle an existing one. The House still further resolves to urge the Union Government to cause to amend Article 3 of the Constitution of India by incorporating that prior consent of the State Legislature of the affected State (s) shall be mandatory while forming new States, and alteration of areas, boundary in the name of existing States.”
Except for the NPF MLAs, all members of the House supported the resolution moved by the Chief Minister. MLA Samuel Risom, MLA Dikho and N Victor of the NPF while accepting the resolution as it welcome the peace accord said that there is no need to be apprehension about any disturbance to the territorial boundary of the state by the peace accord signed between the NSCN-IM and Government of India.
“Resolution moved in a House should not club many issues but it should be in one issue, but as the resolution is club by many issue I strongly object it,” said Samuel Risom.
MLA Dikho while opposing the resolution said that the peace accord is the need of the hour.
“We should not sabotage the peace process just on speculation that the accord might content articles to distort the territory of the state”, Dikho said. He further added that Naga movement is one of the oldest issue and by understanding the history of the Naga, the India government has finally find a way to move forward for peaceful negotiation.
Nunglun Victor join the other NPF MLAs saying that Naga need to be understand and the peace accord need to be welcome by all.
