Kohima, Oct 15: The NSCN(IM), currently engaged in peace talks with the centre, today urged the United Committee Manipur, the social organisation spearheading the stir against the recent unconditional release of 13 Naga militants, 'not to distort Naga history,' while praising the Ibobi Singh government for freeing its cadres. "The Meiteis and the Nagas are two different entities. The UCM's distortion of history to misinform the outside world can never undo the historical accounts written by prominent British writers and Meitei scholars," information and publicity wing of the outfit said here in a statement here.
The outfit, however, praised the people at the helm of affairs in Manipur, saying they deserved appreciation from all quarters because of their wise decision.
The UCM has been protesting the release of the 13 armed NSCN(IM) men including 'Kilo Kilonser' (Home Minister) A K Lungalang in Manipur's Senapati district last week, triggering fresh tension in Imphal valley.
"The UCM campaign against peace in this part of the region is an antithesis to self-determination of any culture and identity," and urged it to 'come to sanity and avoid irreparable damage' to the Meitei community of Manipur if the organisation went on the warpath on its 'own parochial line'.
The NSCN(IM) which declared cease-fire with the security forces in august 1997, said the sincere commitments shown by both the outfit and the central government to resolve the long standing conflict never 'threatened the identity of the Meiteis or the sanctity of their land'.
Bureau Report