Manipur: Civil groups (CSOs) meet & discussed territorial concerns with Amit Shah

Imphal: A team of  six members from the Civil Society Organisations (CSOs) in Manipur met with Union Home Minister Amit Shah and state Chief Minister N Biren Singh on Sunday to discuss state's territorial concerns in light of the Naga Peace talks. The team of the governing Coordinating Committee on Manipur Integrity (COCOMI) which heads seven Manipur-based CSOs discussed several issues with the Minister, especially the protection of territorial rights in the state.

In response to their plea of safekeeping state's territorial integrity, the CSOs stated that Home Minister Amit Shah assured them "no autonomy for any region will be granted." The CSOs forwarded their respective observations to the Home Minister and also talked about their grievances and expectations from the peace talks. Kuki Inpi, Coordinating Committee on Manipur Integrity (COCOMI), United Naga Council (UNC) and Zeliangrong Baudi were among the civil groups which spoke with Minister Shah on Sunday.

The Civil groups' meeting comes in relation to the Naga Peace talks pursued between the Central government and National Socialist Council of Nagaland (NSCN-IM). In the meeting, Zeliangrong Baudi said that they demanded justice from the Home Minister for the death of thousands of Kukis murdered by the NSCN (IM). Vice President and spokesperson of the Kuki Inpi Manipur team said, "In the meeting with Amit Shah ji, I said that Isak-Muivah faction of the National Socialist Council of Nagaland (NSCN-IM) has murdered thousands of Kukis, for which the justice is yet to be delivered."

The tensions regarding territorial integrity come as a result of Framework Agreement signed by the government and NSCN (IM) leaders in August 2015. It is said that the clauses and conditions of the agreement are yet not revealed to the tribal bodies and civil societies of Manipur which has caused worries amongst the Meiteis. Moreover, the integration of all Naga-inhabited regions and the demand for a separate Naga flag and constitution have further aggravated the native concerns.

Reportedly the CSO leaders admired the Union Minister for his readiness to listen to the genuine voices of the nations' people. 

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