Ten Naga MLAs from strife torn Manipur have urged Union Home Minister Amit Shah that Naga areas should not be touched if any option of separate administration is considered as demanded by certain sections of people of Manipur.
According to the MLAs, no decision must be made without consulting the Naga people.
The MLAs said this today while briefing media persons here at Niathu Resort, Chümoukedima.
This comes in the backdrop of the prevailing situation in Manipur where a community is steadfast on its demand for a separate administration by incorporating areas inhabited by members of that community. The 10 MLAs today briefed the media and gave out details of the meeting between them and Union Home Minister Amit Shah that took place on June 7.
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Manipur Water Resources Minister Awangbou Newmai said, “We also have conveyed to him that in the event of any arrangement for separate administration, our Naga areas should not be touched. Because that is the contention from many years. As we all know there has been a lot of problems and issues in the past when separate administration was made in Manipur.”
Newmai batted for consultation between the Nagas and the government before any such decision is made and stated, “In case of such arrangement in order to avoid further escalation of the situation, we told him that Naga people should be consulted before any arrangement is made. The Home Minister has assured that consultations will be held with the Nagas, Kukis and the Meiteis”.
Awangbou Newmai said that the Nagas would like to accept the arrangement which is made according to the ongoing peace process between Naga groups and the Government of India.
The Naga legislators lauded the proactive role of Home Minister Amit Shah to ensure that peace returns in Manipur. Newmai said that the discussions were “very meaningful.”
“He has responded us very nicely and we are happy. In his invitation we went to meet him as Naga MLAs of Manipur,” the Manipur Minister said.
The MLAs further said that it has been their endeavour to broker peace between the waring communities of Manipur so that peace is restored. “Nagas are peace loving people. We do not want war.”
The Minister said that the Home Minister is aware of the sentiments involved and the sensitive nature of the issue in Manipur.
The 10-member MLA delegation included 5 NPF, 2 BJP, 2 NPP and 1 Independent MLA.
