Manipur's interests not sacrificed, asserts PM

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Saturday dismissed talk of Manipur’s interest being sacrificed for the sake of peace with the National Socialist Council of Nagaland (IM). He accused Chief Minister Okram Ibobi Singh of “spreading lies” to extract electoral mileage.

Modi’s clarification came at an election rally in Imphal after Singh claimed on Friday that “hidden understanding in the agreement” with NSCN(IM) “is a dormant volcano”, hinting that the accord recognises Naga’s extraterritorial ambitions.

The same day, an NSCN(IM) press release claimed that the Centre has acknowledged “integration of their legitimate rights”, but blamed “some individuals” for trying to scuttle the peace accord  by projecting “Nagas of Nagaland”.

The two-phase election to the 60-member Manipur Assembly starts from March 4. Of this, 40 constituencies are in the valley and 20 in the hills. The BJP has only one MLA in the Assembly,  that too a Trinamool Congress rebel who won a byelection.