Amid the alleged extortion and harassment of drivers on national highways by the NSCN-IM which is in ceasefire agreement with the Centre, the United Committee Manipur (UCM) on Sunday urged for speedy settlement of the India-Naga peace talks.
The outcome of the India-Naga peace talk, however, should not hurt the interest of Manipur, the UCM said while speaking to the media during the "Aroiba Langban Thagi Heitha-Leithaba (Meitei traditional practice of paying tribute to late souls)" held at The Great June Uprising Memorial Complex in Kekrupat, Imphal.
UCM president Joychandra Konthoujam stated that the extortions allegedly indulged by militant groups (under cease fire agreement) along the two lifelines of Manipur is one of the reasons for the soaring prices of essential goods.
Joychandra said it is unfortunate that the Central forces remain silent spectators though such crimes of extortion and harassment of drivers are routinely carried out on the highways by those militant groups who are in ceasefire agreement with the Centre.
The people of Manipur will never compromise on the state's integrity though the NSCN-IM are demanding a separate constitution and flag in the Naga inhabited areas, Joychandra said.
"Any outcome of the talk which hurts the state's interest will be an invitation for another June 18 uprising," he said.
Stating that the mighty British had failed to disintegrate Manipur, he said, "We will not allow any forces to disintegrate Manipur's integrity in the future."
Calling for peace and unity among different ethnic groups for making a prosperous Manipur, the president apprised the people of Manipur to stay alert from those external forces which try to break the state's integrity.
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