Supra body, first step to greater Nagaland: Joy
Source: The Sangai Express

Imphal, November 14 2011: In case the news report about the formation of Supra State body to look after affairs of Naga people beyond Nagaland is true, it would be the first step towards creation of greater Nagaland, remarked veteran MPP MLA O Joy.

Speaking to media persons at his office room within the Assembly complex, Joy stated that Supra State body means keeping the boundary of Manipur intact for the moment while keeping the option of re-drawing it in future open.

The proposal for Supra State body has all the potential to spark a massive uprising in Manipur, he warned.

Quoting Congress leaders of both the State Government and Central Government who pledged time and again not to do anything which may disturb the integrity of Manipur, O Joy stated that the Union Home Ministry would be having certain plans up its sleeves regarding its readiness to set up a Supra State body for the Nagas as was indicated by the news report though it might not be official.

MPP leader O Joy

The plan to set up a Supra State body to look after the affairs of Manipuri Nagas from across the border while keeping the boundary intact sounds absurd, Joy remarked.

The joint declaration of the United Naga Integration Council and the Indian National Congress of August 4, 1972 which stated that integration of Naga inhabited areas was neither anti-national nor unconstitutional has brought Manipur to the present situation where its integrity is facing grave danger.

In the election manifesto of the Nagaland Pradesh Congress Committee released by AICC general secretary Shivraj Patil in February 2008, the Shillong Accord as well as the campaign for Naga integration were openly endorsed.

The same matter was raised in the State Assembly as a private member resolution and the State Assembly adopted a resolution to urge the Union Home Minister and the Election Commission to remove these points from the election manifesto of NPCC, Joy reminded.

Observing that the Congress party speaks one thing in Nagaland and something else in Manipur, Joy asserted that Congress always follow a double-standard policy.

Stating that the Naga People's Front has opened its office at Senapati and is gearing up to field their candidates in the Manipur Legislative Assembly elections with the stated objective of bringing all Naga inhabited areas under a single administrative roof, Joy stated that people of Manipur need to keep a close watch on all these developments.

Earlier, NPF's constitution said that its primary membership is open to only citizens of Nagaland but it was later replaced by the words 'any Naga citizen' and the same have not been altered till date.

Contending that the NPF's constitution was not acceptable to the Indian Constitution, the MPP Legislature wing leader questioned as to how the Election Commission of India gave recognition to the NPF's constitution.

The State Government should clearly inform the Government that the question of Supra State body which involves three other States is not acceptable to the people of Manipur.

If the proposal for Supra State body was official, the matter should be deliberated in a special session of the State Assembly and a fitting resolution adopted, Joy asserted.