‘Assembly nod must if Manipur affected’

Says if his schemes continue, the demands for Greater Nagaland will not be there; asserts people are happy in the state

The chief minister of Manipur, N Biren Singh, is in Delhi with his entire cabinet to convey the state’s viewpoint to the Centre on a possible peace agreement with Naga rebel groups. He spoke to about what is at stake for Manipur and the “extreme” steps they would take if the plan went ahead. Edited excerpts:

Prashant Jha

Ram Madhavji was there, Ravi was there, the home secretary was there. All the three chief ministers said that we need a consensus opinion of our states. I reiterated that we encourage a peaceful solution in the larger interest of the nation but we cannot sacrifice our state unreasonably.

state government. means. We want it too. But differences between states have to be resolved. There will be a way out. reception for me. And when my turn came, I almost instantly, automatically, said go to the hills.

We went to the hills, announced packages and schemes. In Ukhrul, where the NSCN is active, a big crowd received me. There was a big public gathering. There were two spots on the stage for me to speak. One was a bulletproof screen. But I decided to speak from the open space. If trust is there, there is no need for bulletproof screen. That was a turning point. are here to request the Centre that we support the peace initiative. But in the meantime, there is a state, there is a constitutional scheme, there is a federal structure, and so if there is any decision, please convey to us in advance so that we can take a decision in the assembly. If not, then all elected members, including me, will be an in an extreme position. Even now, the state government does not have power in 90% of the area. Within our total territory, 90% of the area is under the hills. It is already protected under Article 371C, which means no one can settle there. But Meitei people are living in 8% of the area.

There is already a misunderstanding between the communities because of this. If after this, the state government or Meitei people are asked to make sacrifices without consulting them, that is not justice. Manipur’s situation. Earlier, they didn’t. They are very sensitive. They are pleading and putting out facts about Manipur - how it was established, present situation, the future. They are conveying this to leaders here, including the National Security Advisor. Many Delhi people do not know the situation there. Our assembly has an assembly within the assembly. Twenty tribal members, from the hill areas, are a part of the Hill Areas Committee. If we want to take any decision on the hills, we have to take clearance from them. But no one knows that. Yes. We have already apprised them that we are a part of the nation, we want to live together. I have urged the concerned people not to touch Manipur, and that we will do whatever is necessary for development of tribal people. They have listened. One happy point is they have tried to know the reality. It is a communication gap. The longest-serving CM in Manipur was Naga. There have been two Naga CMS in the 47-year-old history of the state. One of them served for 13 years as the CM, and then served for 10 years in the Rajya Sabha.

Vested interests have instigated this…but yes, there has been a problem from our part. There was a failure to redress grievances. If it had happened timely, the situation would not be there.