Imphal: President of National People’s Party, Conrad K Sangma reaffirmed party’s commitment to inclusive dialogue among the communities for the restoration of peace; civil bodies of Meitei, Naga and Kuki-Zo support Sangma’s 2-days visit in Manipur.
Sangma told reporters at Hotel Classic Grande, here on Friday that his aim to visit Manipur is to engage with various stakeholders including civil bodies, to seek suggestion in exploring a roadmap to peace and to understand the ground reality.
“We are not here to compromise on Manipur’s territorial integrity.., complete bifurcation of Manipur is not our stand,” Sangma said.
He appealed to all communities to come together and engage in dialogue. “If we keep sticking to positions and not focusing on issues, we will not get anywhere. Dialogue and understanding are key to moving forward.”
Sangma said the government need to rebuild public trust however, leadership in the state has changed in President’s Rule.
Responding to the issue on Free Movement regime and border fencing along the Indo-Myanmar border, the NPP chief said the government should take necessary steps by taking consultative meeting with the stakeholders. He urged the Centre not to take any decision hastily so that the issue escalate.
“Our priority is to rebuild confidence, restore communication, and ensure that Manipur’s unity and integrity remain intact,” he said.
Regarding the withdrawing of NPP’s support from the previous Biren led government, Sangma said the party will priorities on ‘people’s mandate’ over political alignment. Adding that, “It was a tough decision, but we needed to do what was right for Manipur,” he stated.
The party president while responding to the vacant seat of Tadubi assembly after the demises of one of its MLA, N Kiyasii, Sangma said the party will urged the Election Commission of India to hold a by-poll as the window period for holding the by-poll is limited to six months.
Responding to reports of the alleged demolition of a historical monument (Manipur Rajbari) in Shillong, Sangma clarified that “the Meghalaya government had not issued any permission or carried out any such action. And I assured that NPP government in Meghalaya is committed to protecting all historical and cultural sites.”
Sangma proceeded to Kangpokpi, Senapati, and Tadubi to meet local CSOs and the family of late MLA Kaisii before heading to Dimapur for further party meetings.
On Friday, the NPP chief along with some of its legislators also met several civil bodies of Nagas and Kuki-Zos in Senapati and Kangpokpi district respectively before he headed to Dimapur, Nagaland.
During an interaction with the president of Naga People’s Organisation (NPO), Kuba Peter said, “Sangma’s visit to Manipur aims at restoration of peace and normalcy. We support his visit and we urged him to press the central leaders to speed up the peace-building process in Manipur.”
During his visit to Kangpokpi district, Sangma along with the party legislators, met representatives of Committee on Tribal Integrity (CoTU), Kuki Inpi Manipur (KIM) and other stakeholders of Kuki-Zo communities.
