Imphal, March 04: In a significant development the Chief Minister O Ibobi Singh asserted that a group of prominent citizens have been formed in an effort to establish contact with leaders of non-Naga underground organisations operating in hill areas of the State and to prepare ground rules for a negotiated settlement to the insurgency problem.

The chief Minister, who also holds the Home portfolio made the announcement in the assembly yesterday in response to a joint private member resolution raised by the Opposition leaders RK Dorendra singh of BJP and MPP's Dr Nimai-chand Luwang.

The CM also shared with the House members of his firm belief that the Central Government would invite comment and entertain viewpoints of State Government and its citizens in connection with the ongoing talks between the Centre and NSCN (IM) leaderships.

The CM's assertion came in response to the BJP and MPP legislators' insistence that Central authorities be prevailed on including State representatives in the ongoing political dialogue towards solving the decades old Naga insurgency issue.

The two citing reports of the GoI-NSCN (IM) talks nearing a solution highlighted to the State Government on need to include a State representative in the ongoing peace process so as to ensure that solution to the Naga problem do not materialise at the expense of Manipur's territorial integrity.

Despite favouring a peaceful end to the Naga problem, the two legislators nevertheless termed as serious matter NSCN (IM)'s pursuit for amalgamation of Naga inhabited areas under a single administrative unit and mooted not only Manipur's participation in the peace parleys but also desired inclusion of representatives of other North Eastern States whose boundaries would be affected in case Centre endorses IM's demand.

They also commented that IM's pursuit for Greater Nagaland should neither lead to anti-Naga feeling nor should the Naga public harbour any ill-will against other communities.

For lasting peace in the hill areas of Manipur it is equally important that open dialogue be held with other insurgent groups operating the State, said the Opposition leaders and expressed that Central Government should ensure a conducive atmosphere for peaceful negotiations.

On UNLF's insistence for plebiscite RK Dorendra and Dr Nimaichand Luwang opined that the Centre need to consider the proposal with all seriousness.

Observing that common public had been drawn and made to suffer due to the Indo-Manipur conflict they prevailed upon the members that Manipur Legislative Assembly adopt a resolution and apprise the decision to the Central authorities to endorse the plebiscite call.

Replying to the duo's comments, the Chief Minister said non stone would be left unturned to convince non-Naga UG groups operating in the hill areas of the State to come to the negotiating table for which a group has been formed to prepare the ground rules for dialogue.

reacting to reports of Army authorities and some Kuki underground outfits having arrived at a consensus to cease hostilities, O Ibobi revealed that he has no qualms against the truce but lamented the way the agreement was signed without taking the State Government into confidence.

The reluctance of the State Government to endorse ceasefire agreement between the Army and the Kuki outfits concerns non disclosure of the truce contents and sidelining the State Government on such a serious issue, said the CM.

welcoming the ongoing Centre-IM peace parleys and highlighting UPA Government's common minimum programme to preserve status quo of North Eastern states' boundaries, he nevertheless affirmed that there is no room for laxity as IM's demands might contain other agenda that might be detrimental to overall interest of Manipur.

Conveying to the House of Centre's emissary in the ongoing peace talks Oscar Fernandes assuring that State Government and people of Manipur would be taken into confidence before a final settlement, he expressed confidence of the Centre inviting State representatives if and when necessary.

The Chief Minister also made a fervent appeal to all the NGOs and social organisations for concerted effort and cooperation to the Government in bringing those UG groups with strong holds in the valley areas leave the path of violence and find a peaceful solution to the insurgency problem.

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