IMPHAL, Oct 29 - Public alert rallies continue to be held in Manipur to highlight the need to safeguard the State�s interests and territory amid reports of finalisation of the Naga peace deal by the Centre.
Police today stopped a rally at Lilong, while allowing some members to submit a memorandum to the Chief Minister.
The meetings and rallies have been held in the State since last week under the initiative of the newly-formed Coordinating Committee on Manipur Integrity (COCOMI), a joint body of major civil society organisations.
Meanwhile, COCOMI has urged the people to participate in a 20-hour protest movement from 4 am on October 31. There is an apprehension that the solution to the peace talks may affect the interests of the State as the contents of the framework agreement signed between the Centre and the NSCN-IM in August, 2017 have not been disclosed yet, COCOMI coordinator Sunil Karam told reporters on Monday evening.
In another development, the Kuki Inpi Manipur (KIM), the apex body of the Kuki community in the State, has also decided to hold a rally in the Kuki-inhabited areas on October 30 as a mark of protest against the Centre�s alleged failure to consult major stakeholders and communities in the State before finalising the framework agreement.
According to KIM information and publicity secretary Gouminlun Gangte, their organisation would not accept any solution that will affect the political interests of the Kukis.
The ongoing peace talks between the Centre and the NSCN-IM, and the latter�s demand for integration of all Naga-inhabited areas, has raised concern in Manipur.
On Monday, a delegation of the Manipur Pradesh Congress Committee, led by newly-appointed president Moirangthem Okendra and Congress Legislature Party leader O Ibobi Singh, submitted a memorandum to the Prime Minister through the State Governor on the issue of the final agreement arising out of the framework agreement with the NSCN-IM and the NNPGs (Naga National Political Groups). The memorandum urged the Prime Minister to ensure that detailed discussions are held with the stakeholders of the State, and that their consent is obtained before the final agreement on the Naga issue is signed.
