IT News
Imphal, June 9:
The 10 Naga MLAs who had met the Union Home Minister Amit Shah on the evening of June 7, had stated that the Naga people should be consulted if any arrangement for separate administration in Manipur is made.
Talking to media persons at Niathu Resort Dimapur at 9 am today, Water Resources Minister Awangbou Newmai told the media persons that in the event of any arrangement for Separate Administration, we have told him (Amit Shah) very clearly that our Naga area should not be touched, because that has been contention for many years. As we all know, there has been issue in the past when separate administration was made in Manipur.
“We have conveyed to him that in case of such arrangement, in order to avoid further escalation of the situation, further problems, we told him that the Naga people should be consulted properly before any arrangement is made”, Awangbou said.
The Minister said that for the first time, a platform of the Naga MLAs has formed. The 10 Naga MLAs also want any arrangement for the Naga to be in line with the ongoing Naga peace process.
“We have an ongoing peace process, at the event of any arrangement, it should be in the process of the Naga peace talk which is in the process”, Awangbou said reminding the Union government about the peace process being underway between the Government of India and the NSCN-IM.
“Nagas would like to accept the arrangement which is made according to the ongoing peace process between Naga groups and the Government of India”, Awangbou said.
This comes in the backdrop of the prevailing situation in Manipur where a community is steadfast in its demand for a separate administration by incorporating areas inhabited by members of a specific community.
Awangbou Newmai further said, “In case of such arrangement in order to avoid further escalation of the situation, we told him that Naga people should be consulted before any arrangement is made. The Home Minister has assured that consultations will be held with the Nagas, Kukis, and the Meiteis”.
The 10 member Naga MLAs who met the Union Home Minister are Losii Dikho (Mao AC), N Kayisii (Tadubi AC), Awangbow Newmai (Tamei AC), Dinganglung Gangmei (Nungba AC), Ram Muivah (Ukhrul AC), Leishiyo Keishing (Phungyar AC), Khashim Vashum (Chingai AC), SS Olish (Chandel AC), J Kumo Sha (Karong AC) and Janhemlung Panmei (Tamenglong AC).
All the other MLAs were also present during today’s press briefing at Dimapur.
