IMPHAL, Oct 23 - An all-party meeting on the issue of the Indo-Naga peace talks was held under the chairmanship of Chief Minister N Biren Singh at the Chief Minister�s Secretariat here on Tuesday evening.
The meeting resolved to protect the territorial integrity and unity of the State. The political leaders also resolved to send an all-party delegation to meet the Central leaders and submit a memorandum, an official source stated. At the same time, the meeting, which was attended by more than a dozen political parties, also decided to form a drafting sub-committee under the chairmanship of Y Joykumar, Deputy Chief Minister.
Members of the drafting committee include Thangminlien Kipgen, president of the National People�s Party, Dr M Nara of the CPI, Ng Bijoy, president of the North East India Development Party, P Sharatchandra of Manipur BJP, K Debabarta of Manipur Pradesh Congress Committee, N Ibohal of Lok Janshakti Party, H Gitajen of Manipur People�s Party and M Tombi of Shiva Sena.
Prior to the day�s meeting, Chief Minister Biren Singh apprised the meeting of recent developments on the basis of media reports and inputs from the consultative group on the Indo-Naga peace talks.
However, after the meeting, the Manipur unit of the Naga People�s Front clarified that protection of Manipur�s territorial integrity (issued as a resolution by the Chief Minister) was not deliberated on, though opinions were shared by some parties and included in the final resolution.
Meanwhile, former Chief Minister and Opposition leader in the State Assembly O Ibobi Singh chaired a Congress Legislature Party (CLP) meeting and appreciated the fact that the decades-old Indo-Naga peace talks were coming to a conclusion, sources said. The CLP members wished that the issue should be resolved at the earliest without affecting and hurting the sentiments and interests of neighbouring States, especially Manipur.
They also resolved to oppose any move that may cause the disintegration of Manipur while concluding the peace deal with the NSCN-IM or any other body of the organisation.
The CLP meeting reiterated its collective stand to protect the territorial, administrative, financial, socio-cultural and political integrity of Manipur.
The Coordinating Committee on Manipur Integrity, a newly-formed joint body of major civil society organisations of the State, has begun to organise �Cheksin Meepham� or �alert meetings� in Imphal West, Imphal East and Bishnupur districts of Manipur on the peace process between the Centre and the NSCN-IM.
Students of Johnstone Higher Secondary School here also staged a demonstration in front of their school, urging the authorities not to harm the interests of Manipur owing to the Naga peace accord.
