‘Centre planning on pan Naga council’

IMPHAL, November 29: The United People’s Front, UPF, Manipur has today claimed that there are certain reports that the Centre is tentatively planning for offering a pan Naga Council consisting of four branches and one apex body to bring a solution to the vexed Naga issue.

UPF general secretary Kh Suranjoy today claimed that certain international organizations supporting NSCN (IM) leader Th Muivah and some pro-India media-houses have secretly received the reports.

Further addressing his key-note at the Manipur Press Club today during a one day discussion on Human Rights and Conflict situation in Manipur, he said that the councils will have the authority on certain aspects including culture, customary laws and development issues in their concern areas.

He also elaborated that the report also said that the Centre’s plan is to set up two councils in Naga inhabited areas of Manipur, one each in Assam and Arunachal Pradesh with the apex council set up in Nagaland.

He also continued that though the planned solution will not disturb the present territorial boundaries of the states, the apex council at Nagaland will coordinate the other four councils.

He also added that the Manipur government will not be able to interfere in the financial issues of the councils.

Meanwhile, Life Watch chief administrator, Advocate Angomcha Araba urged all the communities to stop making demands based on a single community.

He elaborated that the real issue at the moment should be the influx of illegal immigrants into the state.

In case the indigenous communities stood up against this issue, the immigrants will soon occupy even the state Legislative Assembly, he said.

He further opined that the United Nations should also be included in finding a solution to the present conflict situation in the state.

North East Human Rights Defenders Committee, convenor, Jinine Laishramcha said there are three stakeholders when it comes to Manipur- the government, the armed groups and the general public.

The most ignored of the three is the general public, he continued.

The present conflict can never be solved without the participation of the general public

Though both the police force and the armed groups have been formed to safeguard the interest of the common people, both have failed miserably to earn the trust of the general public, he said.

He further opined that in order “to solve the NSCN (IM) and Meitei conflict”, the leaders of both sides need to dissect the issue without any partiality and inclination and see how far one can compromise to bring an amicable solution.

Human Rights Activist, Advocate Gunadhor in his speech lamented the need to corporate two separate investigative agencies in a single case in India.

Meanwhile, the deliberation recommended six confidence building measures. Firstly, Repeal Armed Forces (Special Powers) Act, 1958, and bring an end to the other devices of legislation that would not help in process of conflict resolution and positive peace endeavor namely National Investigation Agency (NIA), National Security Act (NSA), Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (UAPA), etc.

Secondly, start the process of demilitarization in Manipur by withdrawing military forces. Thirdly, Extend proper and fair accomplishment of justice to the political prisoners by taking into account of the international legal instruments and undo the secret detention complication.

Fourthly, Encourage judicial activities and effective and independent inquiries for the human rights incidents in order to deliver justice to the victims and their families.

Fifthly, Exercise the favourable mechanisms and encourage the armed organizations, civil societies, the communities towards the maintenance of the communal harmony and a peaceful atmosphere of Manipur and Northeast.

Lastly, Alternative Political Arrangement for the Indo-Naga talk should be debated and consensus of the people in Manipur, Assam, Arunachal Pradesh, Nagaland should be consulted and respected.