Union Home minister Amit Shah may make a trip to Manipur within this month (November) to discuss the Naga political issue.
Informing this on Thursday during a press meet in Imphal, Manipur chief minister N Biren Singh said that the Union Home minister is planning to discuss the issue “with stakeholders of the state”.
The chief minister said that the Union Home minister is likely to hold discussion on the issue with all MLAs of Manipur and leaders of state based civil society organisations on Indo-Naga peace talks.
The date for his trip is not yet confirmed, Biren Singh said but hinted that he is likely to come within November.
Union Home minister’s likely visit to the state came to notice when he inquired about his proposal of inviting him (Biren) and opposition leader O Ibobi Singh at the national capital for a discussion on the same issue.
NEDA convenor Himanta Biswa Sarma had recently informed Biren Singh that Shah was going to invite him and the opposition leader to hold a discussion on the Naga political issue.
Sarma who came to the state to take part in the election campaign for by-polls informed him that Shah will invite him (Biren) along with opposition leader and former chief minister O Ibobi Singh to New Delhi by November 10. But, he did not receive a formal letter or invitation from the Union Home ministry regarding the matter. As such, he inquired about the matter, Biren Singh said.
The chief minister then said that Shah’s likely visit to Manipur might have been related with the assurance given by the latter that “stakeholders” will be consulted on the Naga political issue.
At the same time, the chief minister said that whether the meeting with the Union Home minister may be in Delhi or Imphal or anywhere, the state government’s stand on the issue will remain firm.
“Our firm stand not to compromise the interest of the state will remain unchanged at any cost,” Biren Singh said. He added that even if the Centre comes up with any other proposal related to the interest of the state, the state government will not take a final decision without consultation with the people and stakeholders.
“I have given a clear cut message to the Central government that any kind of solution infringing Manipur’s interests that would lead to disharmony among the different communities of the state will not be accepted by the state government as well as by the people of the state,” Biren Singh said. “We have repeatedly conveyed to the Centre about our stand and we still stand firm on the state’s integrity. We will never compromise Manipur’s interests at any cost,” the Chief Minister further said.
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