Manipur Congress chief Gaikhangam reacting to the news report “Centre offering creation of Supra-state body for the Nagas, as final settlement” published in the local dailies here, questioned the authenticity of the information.
Ibobi and Gaikhangam however, reaffirmed that any agreement that would compromise Manipur’s territorial integrity would not be acceptable at any cost.
Ibobi expressed confidence that Centre would not by-pass state governments of Manipur, Assam and Arunachal Pradesh while taking such a “delicate” decision.
“Government has not been informed about Centre taking such a delicate decision,” he said and urged the need to cross examine the source of the report.
“Any outcome of the peace talks (between GoI and NSCN I-M), which tantamount to break Manipur’s territorial integrity will not be acceptable to my government. We will stand firm against it,” Ibobi affirmed.
Talking on the sidelines of a function held at Imphal Congress Bhavan to remember India’s first Prime Minister Jawaharlal Nehru on his 122nd birth anniversary, Ibobi said that his government was always ready to fight any move tantamount to break the territorial integrity of the state.
Gaikhangam also reiterated the party’s commitment for the protection of territorial integrity of Manipur and appealed to the people to keep faith with his party.
The news report also drew flak from various organizations in Manipur where it was reported that some even called for emergency meetings in their respective offices to discuss the matter. Leaders of various civil organizations have also inquired about the reliability of the information while individuals were of the view that there could be fallout if such decision was made.
The excerpt of the report states that the negotiations between Centre and NSCN (I-M) is now in its final stages. The settlement envisages a “special federal relationship” between India and Nagaland and creation of a “Supra-state body” for the Nagas to “preserve, protect and promote their cultural, social and customary practices”.
The offer to create a pan-Naga ‘Supra State Body ‘ has been touted by Indian negotiators as the “second best option for the Naga people”.
So Delhi is offering to create the “Supra State Body”, to which the legal authority and decision-making power of the Naga populated areas of Manipur, Assam and Arunachal Pradesh will be formally transferred.