IMPHAL, Jan 25 ?Chief Minister Okram Ibobi today reiterated that Prime Minister Atal Behari Vajpayee had assured a team of all political parties of Manipur that Centre had no plan to re-draw the territorial boundary of Manipur. Chief Minister Ibobi who returned here this afternoon along with leaders of the political parties after camping in New Delhi for more than five days while quoting the Prime Minister said : ?Prime Minister had told us that there is no commitment on the issue of territorial integrity of Manipur?.
Highlighting the political parties face-to-face meeting with a number of senior politicians as well as Union Ministers except Deputy Prime Minister L K Advani, the Manipur Chief Minister said to the mediamen during the press conference : ?Our mission is successful?. The peace talks between the Government of India and NSCN(IM) leaders Isak Chishi Swu and Thuingaleng Muivah were held in New Delhi for about ten days in the second week of January as part of the continuing peace process to bring an amicable solution to the vexed Naga problem.
Replying to a question relating to the amendment of the Article 3 and Article 371(1) of the Indian Constitution for bringing about a lasting solution to the territorial integrity of Manipur, he informed that the matter had been explained thoroughly in the memorandum submitted to the Prime Minister. ?We even apprised him of repeated trips to Delhi for safeguarding the territorial boundary of Manipur when necessity arises?.
When asked about the stand of the ruling Secular Progressive Front coalition Government in Manipur on the Naga peace talks, Ibobi said ?If they (NSCN-IM leaders) come out sincerely with an open mind with a commitment of not disturbing the integrity, we are ready to hold talks with them?.