Sobhapati Samom
IMPHAL, July 20 – Manipur Chief Minister O Ibobi Singh today informed the State Assembly that 142 cases are pending against NSCN(IM)’s general secretary Thuingaleng Muivah and its cadres.
Replying to a question by opposition MLA RK Anand of Manipur People’s Party during the day’s Question Hour, the Chief Minister said Manipur Government has registered 324 cases against the NSCN-IM leader and its cadres since August 1,1997 till June-end this year in connection with crimes committed in Manipur.
Ibobi added that out of 324 cases three are submitted in charge sheet, 179 cases are returned in FR while another 142 cases are pending.
Recalling the recent proposed visit of Muivah to his native Somdal village in Manipur’s Ukhrul district in May last, the Chief Minister said that his government’s stand against Muivah’s visit to his native village will not change.
He said he even had a heated dialogue with the Union Home Minister over the recent proposed visit of NSCN-IM leader in May last.
Narrating his dialogue with the Union Home Minister, he said, “I boldly told them (Centre) that we will definitely arrest (if he enters).” The Home Minister tried to explain that the NSCN-IM leader is a bonafide citizen of the country and the group is no more an unlawful organisation. The Centre might have to stop extension of unlawful organisation tag after the signing of ceasefire agreement between the Government of India and NSCN-IM, he felt.
Regarding the ongoing ceasefire agreement, he opined that they (NSCN-IM leaders) should be confined within the State of Nagaland as per the ceasefire agreement. Even in Nagaland they shouldn’t be allowed to move here and there freely. They should be confined in the designated camps, he said.
Ibobi also informed the House that presently 19 Kuki militant organisations having around 1,800 cadres, operating in the State, are having a suspension of operation(SoO) with the State and Central Governments. Ten designated camps are being constructed at Chandel, Churachandpur, Senapati and Ukhrul districts for their accommodation during the ongoing SoO, he added.