Source: The Imphal Free Press
Imphal, December 18:
The Tangkhul Naga Long (Tangkhul Hoho) president, Paul Muivah, has come out strongly against the statement made by former chief minister of Manipur, Rishang Keishing, in an exclusive interview to Dimapur based daily, Nagaland Post, (Dec 17 issue), that Naga integration was "unnecessary and useless." In a statement, the TKL president said Rishang's view is "purely his own and does not represent the view of the Tangkhul Nagas and the Nagas in general in Manipur." The statement further flayed Rishang as communal and malicious for saying Nagas of Manipur, constituting 18 percent of the state population, fighting with the Meiteis is unfair.
It said the Nagas in Manipur have no conflict with any community, particularly the Meiteis and hence Rishang's statement is motivated by his vested and narrow political consideration.
Paul also quoted a clause from a 1972 joint agreement between the United Naga Integration Council, UNIC, and the All India Congress Party, of which Keishing was a signatory, which said the Congress does not oppose Naga integration or consider it as anti-party, anti-nation, anti-state or unconstitutional.
The statement also said the TKL supports and commit themselves to "the aspiration of the Nagas to live together as one people.