Agenda of the BJP led Government in Manipur
- Part 4 -

Dr. Khomdon Lisam *

5. Action initiated for protection territorial boundary of Manipur. On 17 March, 2017 Shri N.Biren said on the alleged encroachment in Manipur by Myanmarese authorities, that he had received an application from an indigenous association on the issue. Shri N. Biren Singh said he would send a team to inspect the site and a report would be sent to the Centre for further action.

6. Speedy Settlement of the Naga Peace Agreement- The Government of India and the National Socialist Council of Nagaland (NSCN-IM) signed the Framework Agreement on 3 August, 2015 in the presence of the Hon'ble Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi. The Ministry of Home Affaires said that the NCN-IM has given up the demand for sovereignty after signing the historic framework agreement. But NSCN-IM general secretary Thuingaleng Muivah's stated soon after he arrived at the outfit's headquarters near Dimapur, in Nagaland, that his group has not given up on its demand either for 'sovereignty' or integration of the Naga inhabited areas in Manipur, Assam and Arunachal Pradesh.

Six Naga political groups – GPRN/NSCN, FGN, NNC (parent body), NPGN/NNC (NA), NSCN (R) and NNC/GDRN (NA) –formed an interim platform by the name 'Working Group' on 13 December, 2016, in the interest of the Naga people as a whole. On 8 April, 2017, the Political Affairs Mission (PAM) of Nagaland Assembly led by Chief Minister Dr Shürhozelie Liezietsü met with the NNPGs at the Police Complex, Chumukedima to solicit understanding for bringing an early solution to the Naga political issue.

The NNPG representatives were reported to have said that they intend to pursue a solution for the Nagas of Nagaland since NSCN-IM has been engaged in an exclusive (sans other Naga political groups) negotiation with the Government of India. This is a very good development which Our Chief Minister, Shri N Biren Singh and al the Civil Societies of Manipur should support. However Muivah said there will be no solution without integration.

The UNC and NPF are the creation of Muivah to achieve his objective of integration/unification of all Naga inhabited areas of Manipur ,Assam amd Arunachal Pradesh leading to disintegration of the territorial integrity and administrative integrity of Manipur. On 19 February, 2017, Kiren Rijiju, Union State Home Minister assured that the Framework Agreement signed between the Government of India and NSCN-IM would not affect the integrity and territorial boundary of Manipur in any manner.

At the same time, Prime Minister Narendra Modi has many timess clarfied that the Naga Peace Agreement will not affect the interest and territorial integrity of Manipur in any way. Shri R.N. Ravi, interlocutor of the Naga Peace Talk clarified "I have signed the Framework Agreement on behalf of the Government of India and I know every detail of it. There is nothing about touching the territorial integrity of any State. "

He also said, "The Government of India has already made its stand clear on the issue and there is no question of changing its stand." He pointed out that during his last visit to Manipur, Prime Minister Narendra Modi also publicly announced the Centre's stand on the issue. R.N.Ravi said that the claim that there would be integration of the Naga-inhabited areas was a 'blatant lie'. It is a mischievous act by some vested interest circles to create law and order problem in the North East, he said. The Centre's interlocutor further said the NSCN-IM has every right to demand integration of Naga-inhabited areas democratically.

"The Government cannot stop the leaders of the outfit from raising such a demand democratically. But the Centre's stand on the issue is very clear and the Government would not deviate from its stand," Ravi added. Nowadays there is already a report that Nagaland will have its own constitution. a separate flag to begin with under shared sovereignty,

6.Actions initiated to restore love, unity, peace, harmony among all ethnic groups in Manipur by using all possible means. On 15 May, 2017, while speaking on the occasion of the inaugural function of the five day State Shrui Lily festival, Shri. N.Biren said " I am coming here to keep tract of my elder brother. Who can say that Tangkhuls and Meiteis are not brothers."

On hearing this, they wept in tears. Many Tangkhul mothers requested Chief Minister Shri N Biren Singh to send books containing Tangkhul-Metei Relationship." Shri N. Biren Singh is taking up multi-pronged activities by making the Government machineries and functionaries easily accessible to common people of the hills.

7. Action initiated for establishment of National Highway Protection Force of at least four battalions with the support of the Government of India to ensure smooth transportation of goods and to control extortion and violence by underground elements. This forces should be manned by the Manipuris.

On 1 April 2017, Shri Nongthombam Biren Singh, Chief Minister, Manipur said the Centre had given a green signal to raise four Indian Reserve Battalion (IRB )battalions as the highway protection force to be deployed on the two vital routes of Manipur to ensure free passage of vehicles.

On 6 April, 2017, the All Naga Students' Association, Manipur (ANSAM) said that the decision of the Biren Singh Government to raise Indian Reserve Battalion (IRB) battalions along the National Highways in 'Naga areas is an attempt of the Manipur Government to "militarize the Naga and tribal areas and to create avenues for State terrorism".

"The law and order situation and security concerns in the hills depend on the goodwill and cooperation of the tribal people and not on the deployment of IRBs and police commandos who have earned notoriety for their predisposition to killings, violence, abusive behaviours and other criminal acts". Shri Biren Singh met Shri Rajnath , Union Home Minister on 18 May, 2017and requested him to sanction five IRB battalions not four for protection of National Highways.

The assertion of ANSAM that the law and order situation and security concerns in the hills depend on the goodwill and cooperation of the tribal people is very much correct. At the same time, we can not turn a blind eye to the violent activities of some hostile element. Some of the Nagacentric organisations are imposing indefinite blockade putting the whole population of Manipur including Nagas on turmoil and lawlessness.

Even if there is no blockade, the NSCN-IM and its frontal organisations are collecting around Rs.10 lakhs everyday by imposing illegal tax to the tune of Rs 5000-20,000 per vehicle per trip for the last more than 30 years. A minimum of 200 trucks are passing through the Dimapur –Imphal Highway every day. Further, the NSCN-IM and its frontal organisations are indulging in violence killing drivers and handymen and burning hundreds of trucks passing through national highways.

Till date, more than 230 drivers have been killed along the national highways. The Manipur State Government can not do anything due to shortage of security personnel. Now the Government of India is coming forward to help the Manipur State Government in establishing a dedicated National Highway Protection Force.

One question may be asked to ANSAM, UNC and other Nagacentric organisations whether they will be able to take any responsibility for smooth traffic of the vehicles along the national highways or to pay compensation for collecting illegal tax by the NSCN-IM, for killing more than 230 innocent drivers , burning of hundreds of Tata Trucks which are happening for more than 20 years under their nose.

Maintaining law and order through police force is the responsibility of the State Government. All CSOs must support the efforts of the Manipur State Government in maintaining law and order in Manipur. This proposal should not be analysed from communal angle. The Chief Minister maintained that any group of people or community can express their aspirations and it is their right. The Government would work to fulfill all the aspirations to the maximum level. Moreover, the Government has its door open for negotiation regarding any aspirations or demands which are hard to fulfill.

6. Declaration of economic package of Rs 201 crore for Ukhrul district on 11 April, 2017. The economic package of Rs 201 crore includes a market complex for women (Rs 10 crore), community hall of 3000 capacity, water supply projects, development of Shirui hill top as a tourist destination etc. This may be in addition to regular budget of the district.

7. Declaration of economic package of Rs 185 crores for Kangpokpi district on 26 April, 2017. This may be in addition to regular budget of the district. The Chief Minister said "Every hill district headquarters would now have a women's market ."

8. Declaration for organising a five day State Shirui Lily festival at various places in Ukhrul district starting from 15 May, 2017. Shri N. Biren Singh said that "some Tangkhul girls came to me requesting to give donation for organising the Shirui Lily festival at the local level. I told them not to worry about money for organising the Shirui Lily festival. I will arrange for organising festival at the State level and I will come and join the festival."

On hearing the news, the valley people are quite excited. The festival was jointly organised by the Tourism Department, the village authority and the body which used to organise the festival in the past. Ukhrul town is already illuminated by a high mast light and three more would be erected soon.

9. Declaration for abolition of oral interview system for selection and appointment of Grade-III and Grade-IV staff of the Manipur Government. This may require amendment of the Service Rules.

10. Announcement for "No Delay of file at the table of any officer for ,more than 24 hours"

To be continued....