Book of Integration Council New - Ministry of Home Affairs

Home Minister : May I request Mr. Ibobi Singhji to make his statement.
Shri Okram Ibobi Singh
Hon’ble Prime Minister, Hon’ble Home Minister and Hon’ble Union Ministers,
Hon’ble Chief Ministers and distinguished Members of this National Integration Council.
Sir, about Manipur, there is not much of problem about communal harmony. You know
better, Sir, India is a diverse country. Manipur State mirrors this diversity. Though it
is small, a tiny state, we have tribals and non-tribals, hill and plain people who belong
to different religions and speak in different dialects. The current socio-political
environment, external and extreme elements within our multi-cultural society may try
to exploit this diversity for narrow political gains. We are trying to live together
peacefully and also even among the tribals, there are many different tribes mainly the
Nagas and the Kukis. There are more than 13 different tribes. During the last
National Integration Council meeting held on 31 st August 2005, you had rightly
commented and I still I remember and also I quote “The rapid and equitable development
of our economy is as important to National Integration as the assurances of social
justice and communal harmony”. We are trying to live together, peacefully among our
communities Sir, we are making serious efforts to address those minority communities,
the needs of the weaker and vulnerable sections of the population by providing them a
voice through democratic means by substantially empowering the local sub-Government.
Recently on 10 th October 2008, the Manipur Legislative Assembly passed the Manipur
Hill Areas District Council Amendment Bill 2008, where we would like to delegate and
also to increase delegation of more power in the hill areas, particularly to the tribal
brothers. Besides, the Hill District Council Manipur has a long history of Panchayati
Raj. To ensure adequate resources for both the Panchayati Raj Institution and Hill
District Councils, we propose to constitute the 3 rd State Finance Commission
shortly. One of our Hon’ble Members of this National Integration Council, mentioned
about one Miss Sharmila Devi from Manipur. She has been fasting for the last 6
years. I don’t know whether her demand is actually understood or not. Still she is
in judicial custody in the Jawahar Lal Nehru District Hospital. She is fasting. We are
using force feeding. During the last more than 6 years, what is her demand, her
demand is to withdraw Armed Forces Special Powers Act from the state of Manipur.
Several times, I went even to the hospital and also more than 4-5 times I requested her
and also I met her even at her residence also, before we put her under judicial custody.
I requested her see the present situation of Manipur. You know, there are more than 10
different underground outfits. They are demanding separation from the India. Their
movement is, whether they succeed or not, their demand is separatist in nature.
This is No. 1. And No. 2 there is rampant extortion in the name of sovereignty.
They are exploiting heavily. Until and unless, they stop such type of anti-national
demand, their demand for disintegration from this country, how can we withdraw
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