Date:06/02/2007 URL: http://www.thehindu.com/2007/02/06/stories/2007020603711100.htm

Front Page

Manipur's territorial integrity will be protected, says Sonia

Sushanta Talukdar

Armed Forces Act will be withdrawn totally when situation improves

Ready for talks if insurgents give up violence

Ibobi Government has brought stability

Wangjing (Manipur) : Congress president Sonia Gandhi on Monday said her party was committed to protecting the territorial integrity of Manipur at all costs. She said the Congress-led State Government had withdrawn the Armed Forces (Special Powers) Act in seven Assembly segments in the Imphal municipality and was looking forward to doing so in other parts of the State as the situation improved.

Ms. Gandhi was addressing an election rally in this small town in Thoubal disrict,about 25 km from Imphal.She hit the campaign trail in the three States, which are going to the polls this month, the other two being Punjab and Uttarakhand.

Key issues

The issues of territorial integrity of Manipur and repeal of the Armed Forces (Special Powers) Act dominate electioneering with the opposition Manipur People's Party telling the voters that the Congress never opposed the demand for integration of Naga-inhabited areas of the State with Nagaland made by the National Socialist Council of Nagalim (Isak-Muivah) and that the ruling party was also against withdrawal of the Act.

In the valley constituencies, the United Naga Council has obtained the signatures of 60 candidates on a pledge to work for the integration of Naga-inhabited areas of Manipur with Nagaland.

Ms. Gandhi said the United Progressive Alliance Government at the Centre was ready for discussions with insurgent groups provided they gave up violence and the gun culture.

"The insurgents made attempts to destroy social harmony. They have not succeeded as the people of Manipur do not support them."

Ms. Gandhi said the Okram Ibobi Singh Government was the first one in Manipur to last a full five-year term, and this stability brought development to the State, and improved law and order and finances.

At an Imphal meeting, Ms. Gandhi highlighted the handing over of the Kangla Fort from the custody of Assam Rilfes to the people of Manipur as another achievement of the Congress-led Government.

Earlier, thousands of Congress workers, a majority of them women, waved enthusiastically at Ms. Gandhi as she alighted from a chartered helicopter at the Wangjing meeting venue, accompanied by Mr. Ibobi, Union Minister and Congress general secretary in-charge of the northeast Oscar Fernades and PCC president Gaikhangam.