Source: The Sangai Express
Imphal, October 01:
CPI National secretary AB Bardhan has stated that holding plebiscite as demanded by the UNLF under the mediation of UN to decide the future of the people of Manipur by themselves would be like opening Pandora�s box.
Addressing a press conference at Irabot Bhavan this afternoon, the CPI leader observed that any individual or group have the right to raise their demand, but holding the plebiscite would be akin to opening the Pandora�s box and create more problems.
There are many organisations like UNLF in the country which might raise similar demands, he said, while asserting that the Constitution of India also does not have the provision for holding the plebiscite.
It might be an earnest demand of the UNLF, but for involving in peace process, there should not be any conditions and shun away from violence, he said.
Bardhan iterated that response of the State Government to the announcement of the Defence Minister on cease-fire agreement with some Kuki outfits shows lack of communication between the Centre and the State Government.
It is not a question of trying to interfere in the cease- fire, but there should be some ground works and conditions for carrying out the peace process, he said, adding that such peace initiatives should also be taken up with all the other underground outfits operating in the State.
The CPI leader noted that the State Government has an important role to play in stopping armed cadres of some underground group who are extorting money from the people openly in Churachandpur town taking advantage of the cease-fire agreement.
The Centre should also take a serious view of the matter, he said.
While welcoming ongoing peace talks between the Government of India and the NSCN (I-M), Bardhan observed that it should, however, not create problem or aggravate the prevailing situation in the North Eastern region.
Justifying demand of the people of Manipur for deploying National Highway Protection Forces, Bardhan said, the security personnel are doing nothing despite armed cadres of NSCN (I-M) loitering around with arms openly and carrying out extortion and harassing drivers/transporters along the National Highways.
While informing that he has met Prime Minister to exert pressure on speeding up the task of laying the railway line till Manipur (Toupul), the CPI leader maintained that progress of the work is at snail�s pace and there is need to carry out the work on a war footing.
Along with this, steps should be taken up for making the National Highway four-laned and replace all the existing Bailey bridges along the route with concrete bridges, he added.