IMPHAL, March 26 - Manipur Chief Minister Nongthombam Biren Singh on Sunday said the territorial integrity of the State will be protected at any cost as it is dearer than his life. �This is the commitment of the government,� he said.
Biren was responding to a question by reporters in connection with the Framework Agreement, this afternoon, minutes before his departure for the national capital to pay a courtesy call on President of India, Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Union Home Minister Rajnath Singh and other Central leaders after he assumed the charge of the Chief Minister of the State on March 15.
NSCN (IM) General Secretary Th Muivah�s remark during the outfit�s Republic Day function in Nagaland on Tuesday that the �Framework Agreement� which was signed with Centre two years back recognises the demand for integration of Naga areas, has evoked reactions from various fronts.
Stating that Prime Minister had already made a clarification (during his last visit) and the Central Government also issued a clear-cut clarification on Saturday that there is nothing that can harm the territorial integrity of Manipur in the framework of agreement, he said what the NSCN-IM leader Muivah is reported to have said could be his claim.
On Saturday, Central Government had clarified that there is no such agreement or decision �to carve out a larger Nagaland State by taking away the territories of the States contiguous to Nagaland.�
Manipur Pradesh Congress Committee leaders had also been demanding clarification from both from the BJP led coalition government in the State as well as at the Centre over Muivah�s remark.
On demands of implementation of Inner Line Permit system in the State, the CM said that he will look into what can be done in consultation with all stakeholders.
Informing that he will apprise the State�s situation to the Central leaders during his visit, he said, �I think the Prime Minister is also keen to solve the issues in the State.� Minister for Works, Information and Public Relations Th Biswajit Singh is accompanying the CM in the visit. They are expected to return here on March 29.
