Imphal, April 8: United Naga Council, apex body of the Nagas in Manipur, today warned that anyone who jeopardises the ongoing peace talks would be treated as "anti-Naga".
"Any policy, programmes and activities of any political party or individual who either in speech, written statement, visual display or action opposes our established and registered political position will be treated as anti-Nagas," the council said in a statement.
The statement said the 17-year-long Naga political dialogue has reached a point where a lasting settlement was imminent. It also said the council's demand for an alternative administrative arrangement for Nagas living in Manipur outside the purview of the state government has reached a stage where the Centre made a commitment to setting up a "high-level committee" to translate the demand into reality.
"Therefore, any situation that endangers or jeopardises our established position built up with blood and tears should not be allowed into our land," the statement said.
Tripartite talks involving the council, Manipur government and the Centre are in progress on the demand for an alternative administrative arrangement. The caution followed statements coming from political parties warning the Centre against any move to harm Manipur's interest as a result of an agreement between the NSCN (Isak-Muivah) and the Centre.
Parties including the CPI, Manipur People's Party and JD (U) cautioned the Centre that Manipur could go up in flames if its territorial integrity was compromised. The parties made the statements in reaction to the visit by the Centre's interlocutor, R.N. Ravi, to Manipur and reports that the Narendra Modi government is working overtime to thrash out a peace deal with the NSCN (I-M).
Ravi along with two senior officials of the Union home ministry was recently in Imphal for two days to review security along the Manipur-Myanmar border with senior civil and police officials of the state. Though officials explained the purpose of the visit was to review border security, Ravi's visit evoked keen interest among parties because of his role as an interlocutor in Naga peace talks.
The fear of Manipur's disintegration was triggered further when NSCN (I-M) leader Th. Muivah said in a statement a few days back that "sovereignty and (Naga) integration" were still on the talks agenda.
The Naga council reiterated its declaration on July 1, 2010, severing political ties with the Manipur government and reaffirmed its position that chief minister Okram Ibobi Singh, his council of ministers, MLAs and members of autonomous district councils would not be welcomed in Naga areas.
It appealed to presidents of Naga tribes and Naga organisations to extend full cooperation to the council's stand and take up "appropriate measures" to uphold its position in their respective areas.
