‘Modi govt not keen on revealing details’

Imphal: Chief minister Okram Ibobi Singh on Tuesday said his government would challenge the peace deal between the Centre and NSCN (IM) if it affects Manipur’s territorial integrity.
After the peace accord was signed on Monday, Okram asked Union home minister Rajnath Singh to furnish the full text of the agreement. Rajnath told him that the deal would be placed in Parliament on Tuesday and he would send Okram details of the deal soon.
However, the matter was not placed in Parliament on Tuesday, the Centre was not sincere about the issue, Okram said during a media conference at his office secretariat on Tuesday evening.
Reiterating his government’s firm stand on safeguarding Manipur’s territorial integrity, Okram expressed his disappointment over the NDA government’s failure to reveal information on the issue before signing the accord.
Several civil bodies in the state also demanded that the Centre reveal the terms of agreements of the peace deal. The civil groups warned that they will not remain silent and another ‘June Uprising’ might be triggered if the any of agreement’s clause affects the state’s territories.
As many as 18 people were killed in police firing in June 2001, when they were protesting against the extension of ceasefire between NSCN (IM)-Centre beyond Nagaland.
The agitators had burnt down the chief minister’s bungalow, assembly building, quarters of several ministers and offices of Congress, BJP and CPI in Imphal.
The district administration had clamped curfew in the valley districts till the then NDA government rolled back ceasefire in July the same year.
“If Monday’s accord ushers peace in Nagaland, we warmly welcome it, but if it breaches Manipur’s territorial integrity we cannot accept it and the same should be withdrawn,” said United Committee Manipur (UCM) president Elangbam Johnson.
The UCM also surprised by the sudden signing of the accord as even the state’s chief minister and deputy chief minister were bypassed during the process, Johnson said at a media conference here. The Prime Minister and Home Minister should also spell out the accord’s agendas, he added.
The All Manipur United Clubs Organization (AMUCO) also warned of an agitation if the accord compromises on Manipur’s territorial integrity.
Speaking on the occasion of the organization’s 18th Integrity Day here on Tuesday, AMUCO president Y Mani Khuman said the peace deal has not been made public and hence it is highly suspicious.
“If the people of Manipur do not like any of the clauses of the accord, AMUCO will not
remain a mute spectator,” he added.