RN Ravi hints at ‘some autonomy’ for NSCN (IM) framework agreement

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IMPHAL, November 4: Centre’s interlocutor in its talks with the NSCN (IM) RN Ravi who had arrived on a two day visit yesterday has left the State today.

Soon after landing at the Imphal Airport yesterday, Ravi had held talks with several CSOs from both the hills and the valley and officials of the State government.

Ravi had also met a seven member delegation of the newly formed Citizens Committee, Manipur led by its chairman Radhabinod Koijam and assistant convenor Roshan Maisnam today at the Hotel Classic Grande.

The meeting which began at around 9am and concluded at around 11 am was also attended by senior advocate Khaidem Mani, Prof W Nabakumar Singh, BB Sharma, Khelen Thokchom (correspondent, The Telegraph) and Ksh Santa.

Speaking to IFP after the meeting, Mani said on being questioned about the details of the framework agreement signed between the Centre and the NSCN (IM), the Centre’s interlocutor maintained that it is not feasible to divulge the details at present although, it will not include anything which will affect the geographical boundary/ territorial integrity of Manipur.

Ravi however, expressed desire to accord ‘some sort of autonomy’ inside the Indian Constitution under the Framework Agreement, although the type of autonomy is yet to be settled, he said.

Stating that he had wanted to consult the people of Manipur before any finalisation, Ravi had told the team that his second visit to the State was to seek public opinion, Mani said.

He further said that RN Ravi during the meeting also categorically expressed that there is no more demand for sovereignty from NSCN (IM).

During the meeting, the CCM team apprised the interlocutor about the extortion and atrocities committed by NSCN (IM) along the National Highways even after entering peace talk with the Government of India, Kh Mani said, adding that Ravi was also informed on the frequent imposition of economic blockade in the State.

Mani also said that the interlocutor gave assurance that he will try his level best to pressurize the concerned organizations not to impose economic blockade along the NHs and that Central leaders will be apprised of the outstanding issues pertaining to the State.

The CCM team cautioned interlocutor RN Ravi against bringing any agreement and development based on ethnic line as the State is inhabited by 40 different ethnic communities.

During the important meeting, the team viewed that it will be a right step to bring an amicable settlement to the framework agreement after seeking opinion from the different communities, he said.

Kh Mani went on to say that the team also expressed desire to convert the framework agreement or bilateral talk into multi-lateral system.

As stated by RN Ravi, it may prove to be the right decision to opt for ‘Re-Packaging’ the system of Autonomous District Council (ADC) in the State, he said.

Though RN Ravi hinted for ‘some sort of autonomy’ under the framework agreement to solve the long standing Naga issue which the Government of India has not finalized yet, the interlocutor made it clear that there is no clause of 6th Schedule in the agreement.

Through the team, the visiting interlocutor appealed to the people to hold talk with other UG groups operating in the State.

According to Kh Mani, RN Ravi also categorically mentioned that there is no three-month time frame or countdown to meet the framework agreement signed between GOI and NSCN (IM).

The interlocutor reminded the team that the framework agreement is on its consultation process.

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