Ruling MLAs discuss Naga talks, CAB
Source: The Sangai Express
Imphal, November 17 2019:
With Chief Minister N Biren in the chair, legislators of ruling parties held a meeting this morning and discussed the final solution to the Naga peace talk and the Citizenship Amendment Bill (CAB) which has been already included in the business list of the Parliament's winter session.
It is said that the State Cabinet would take appropriate decisions after eliciting opinions and positions of all the ruling MLAs with regard to the twin issues of Naga accord and CAB.
One MLA who took part in the meeting told The Sangai Express that there is no harm in undertaking civil protest movements against any possible negative impact of the Naga peace accord on the collective interest of Manipur.
Exerting pressure on the Central Government not to do anything which may impinge upon the interest of Manipur is a right step.
It is good to forewarn that the people of Manipur will not remain silent if the Naga solution affects Manipur in any manner but banning or boycotting the annual Sangai Festival needs re-consideration, said the MLA.
As the festival is a calendar event, invitations had been sent to many foreign dignitaries/participants and they have already obtained visas, he continued.
It would require a meeting between the CSOs of the State and the Union Home Minister ahead of the Sangai Festival where the latter may reiterate the assurance he gave to a team of the State Government led by Chief Minister N Biren that Manipur would not be affected by the Naga solution.
It has been already reported that the Union Home Minister would meet CSOs of the State but it sounds rather unconventional to demand a written assurance from the Union Home Minister, the MLA remarked further.
Some MLAs who took part in the meeting proposed postponement of Manipur Sangai Festival 2019 for sometime.
Yet, they opined that it would not be desirable to cancel the festival altogether.
The ruling MLAs also shared their opinions on CAB which is most likely to be passed in the winter session of Parliament.
The MLAs highlighted the need to ascertain the number of migrants who are already living in Manipur and seeking Indian citizenship.
They also suggested that the SDOs/SDCs concerned may be directed to ascertain whether there would be huge influx of immigrants or not after CAB is passed in the Parliament.