MPP and BJP take pot shot at the government on tripartite talk

Imphal, Dec 7 : With no let-up in the battle of words between the ruling Congress-led government in Manipur and the opposition Manipur People's Party (MPP) aided by State BJP on the issue of the tripartite talk between the Centre, State government and United Naga Council (UNC), MPP and BJP have today took a pot shot again at the State government.

Not really satisfied with the clarification given out by the government's spokesperson, N Biren yesterday that there was no mention of "alternative arrangement" during the tripartite talk on December 3.According to a rebuttal from the government, the agenda for the tripartite talk were annulment of the Autonomous District Council (ADC) elections, withdrawal of wanted tag declared against United Naga Council (UNC) and All Naga Students' Association Manipur (ANSAM) leaders following the two-month long economic blockade and institution of judicial enquiry into the Mao Gate incident where 2 students were killed by police firing.

Coming down strongly against the government, MPP president Dr Nimai Chand Luwang said that all the agenda the government claimed to have discussed at the tripartite talk could have been easily handled by the government, and questioned the rationality of involving representatives from the Centre.

"Manipur government spokesperson should first learn the difference between Central, State and con-current lists before coming out with such clarifications", said Dr Luwang, "if the Secular Progressive Front (SPF) government fails to know the content of the tripartite talk, then it is not qualified to form a government.

SPF government should be ashamed of themselves for involving MHA (Ministry of Home Affairs) secretary in the talk", lambasted Dr Luwang, the issue clearly doesn't warrant involving Central officials.

Finding further fault with the Congress party, Dr Luwang said that the former made a gross mistake in 1964 by extending Suspension of Operation (SoO) to three sub-divisions of Manipur which had given opportunity to Naga undergrounds.

The 1972 merger agreement and 2001 cease fire extension to Manipur had threatened the territorial integrity of Manipur, he said.

"In 2010, the Congress-led central government, with tacit consent of the chief minister of the State O Ibobi Singh, gave NSCN-IM leader Th.Muivah the permission to enter Manipur.

However, sensing public dissent against it, the government later retracted.

All these mishandling has caused irreversible damage to the peace in Manipur," accused the MPP president.

The chain of events clearly shows the intention of breaking the territorial integrity of Manipur, and the recent tripartite talk was the last straw, said Dr Luwang, adding, "The SPF government must shed its double standard and promptly abandon the tripartite talk" .

Dr Luwang of MPP and M.Bharot of BJP also sought public clarification from the chief minister on the mixed understanding of the arrest of UNLF chief RK Sanayaima aka RK Meghen and the involvement of Manipur police during the arrest.

Ex-minister and executive member of the BJP Manipur unit, M Bharot similarly criticized the tripartite talk.

Speaking in a press meet at the party's office in Thoubal parking area, Bharot said that the agenda for the talk is very confusing and the result is going to be a disaster for Manipur.

"It is very shameful of the government for not involving even a single minister in the tripartite talk", said Bharot, adding, "The government must revoked the talk" .

Meanwhile, MPP has today sent a congratulatory letter to the Bihar chief minister, Nitish Kumar, in his landmark and "unparalleled" electoral victory in the recently concluded state assembly elections.

The letter said, among other things, that "the MPP feels greatly encouraged and inspired with hopes for our successes in the forth-coming elections" .