Naga Peace Talks: 'Coordination Committee on Manipur' Integrity Threatens to Continue Agitation

Imphal, November 22, 2019:

The Manipur Government and the Coordination Committee on Manipur Integrity (COCOMI) held a meeting today in regards to the 'Naga Peace Talks', but the two sides could not arrive at any understanding.

The meeting held at the Chief Minister's Secretariat was participated by 13 representatives of COCOMI, led by its coordinator Sunil Karam while Chief Minister N Biren, his Cabinet Ministers and MLAs, represented the State Government.

The issue of Naga peace talks and its solution were discussed at length at the meeting but the State Government could not convince the COCOMI representatives.

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As such, the meeting ended without achieving any substantial agreement. Speaking to media persons after the meeting outside the Chief Minister's Secretariat, Sunil Karam told media persons that there has been no change to the points raised by COCOMI before the State Government.

COCOMI would stand firm on its position and the ongoing mass civil movements would go unabated, Sunil said. There is no tangible deed or statement from the side of the Central Government or the State Government which can convince COCOMI and the people that the solution to Naga peace talks would not affect the status quo of Manipur.

"We have raised the issue with Union Home Minister Amit Shah and Amit Shah told us that the Central Government would not do anything which may pave the way for disintegration of Manipur or harm the interest of the State; and the State Government and all stake holders would be consulted before the final solution is sealed", Sunil conveyed as stated by the Chief Minister.

Stating that the State Government has complete trust in the Union Home Minister's assurance, Biren reportedly appealed to the COCOMI delegates to trust Amit Shah. "We rejected the Chief Minister's appeal and urged the State Government, if they have so much faith in Amit Shah, to come out with a declaration that they would bear full responsibility in case the Naga peace talk affects Manipur in any manner", said the COCOMI coordinator.

The COCOMI delegates further urged the State Government to obtain the Union Home Minister's assurance in black and white. Subsequently, the Chief Minister suggested a direct meeting between COCOMI and Amit Shah at Delhi tomorrow itself and also to suspend COCOMI's protest movement for the time being.

There is no harm in holding talks with the Union Home Minister but the time, place and agenda of the meeting should be informed in advance, Sunil Karam said.

According the coordinator, the COCOMI delegates made it clear to the Chief Minister that there is no point in holding any talk with Amit Shah if he would not listen to their concerns.

Until and unless a clear picture emerges regarding the solution to Naga peace talk, the ongoing mass protest movements would continue unabated, he said. While urging for a special session of the Manipur Legislative Assembly, Sunil reiterated their decision to boycott the Manipur Sangai Festival if it is not postponed.

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