NSCN (IM) Peace Accord : Request Restraint

Imphal, 9th August, 2015

MANIPUR WATCH INITIATIVE
OFFICE : SINGJAMEI SUPER MARKET MANAAK, IMPHAL

To
Shri Narendra Modi
The Hon’ble Prime Minister of India

Subect : NSCN (IM) Peace Accord ---- Request Restraint

Sir,

1. On July 25, 1997, the Government of India and NSCN (IM) signed a ceasefire agreement that came into force on August 1, 1997. Three days later, on August 4, 1997 people of Manipur came out on the streets of Imphal and raised the one voice “we will not tolerate any threat to the integrity of Manipur”.

2. According to an estimate of the SIB, Subsidiary of IB out of the total population of 24/25 lakhs, an estimated people of around 4 to 5 lakhs, took part in the rally, on the call of AMUCO (All Manipur United Clubs Organizations). The rally was a historic one with the streets of Imphal turned out to be a sea of humanity.

3. That day, people came out impulsively because the NSCN(IM) while dealing with the Government of India, would threaten the territorial integrity of Manipur as a “greater Nagaland” is a declared vision of the NSCN(IM).

4. On June 14, 2001, when a joint agreement between the Government of India and NSCN(IM) came out from Bangkok stating that the ceasefire between them had “no territorial limits” even when it was clear that it was extended into Manipur against the wishes of the people, the CSOs of Manipur led by AMUCO, UPF, IPSA, etc had called upon the people for a general strike from June 16 to June 18, 2001.

5. On the fateful day of June 18, 2001, the city of Imphal turned into a battle ground between the people who protested against the extension of ceasefire into Manipur and the security forces. The Manipur Legislative Assembly Secretariat and the official bungalows of CM and Ministers, and the offices of the political parties were seen into flames. The Governor had to be shifted in the army cantonment in Kangla and the MLAs had to stay in Delhi for personal safety except one or two. 14 people were shot death by the security forces to contain the situation. In the following days of the movement 4 more persons were also killed by the security forces, and more than three hundred people including women were injured and a few were maimed for life.

6. On July 27, 2001 owing to unceasing intense public movement, the Government of India unilaterally removed the clause “without territorial limits” from the ceasefire agreement and that gesture of the government had halted the uprising of the people against the Government of India.

7. Now, the August 3, 2015 declaration by the Government of India that it had signed a historic peace accord --- after 18 years of negotiations is commendable. But the manner the Government have conducted the deal --- keeping in the dark the Peace Accord, only causes suspicions and distrusts of your government. It has raised serious concern in our minds.

8. The reported one month’s time to crystallize the “Framework NSCN(IM) Peace Accord” would be crucial. And the people of Manipur are watching it as they have constantly been observing their developments since the birth of NSCN(IM) in 1988.

9. The fact of Manipur is that the spirit and elements of history of this one-time Southeast Asian Country --- though today, it has become a tiny part of India, is still alive and kicking. Not exceptionally, the political leadership in Delhi seems to be ignorant of it.

10. Sir, The declared vision of NSCN(IM) is anathema to democratic values and peaceful co-existence among different communities and the Ministry of Home Affairs must be having piles of reports in this regard.

11. The people of Manipur across all sections of the society stand against the blatant communal policies of NSCN(IM) whose medieval mindset of exclusive nationalism goes against all acceptable norms of peaceful co-existence. The truth is even in Naga dominated areas the Naga villages are interpolated with non-Naga tribal villages in every 5 sq kms of inhabited area.

12. Therefore, in the interests of peace and peaceful coexistence among the 36 different communities --- both scheduled and non-scheduled tribes of Manipur, the Government of India should never concede to any communal demands made by the NSCN(IM) that would cause a new phase of conflict in the region.

With Highest Regards,
Yours faithfully,
( Heikrujam Nabashyam )
Convenor

Copy with high regards to:
1) Shri Amit Shah
The President, BJP, New Delhi
2) Smt Sonia Gandhi
The President, INC, New Delhi