Lok Sabha Debates
Situation In North-East Following Decision To Extend Ceasefire Agreement With ... on 24 July, 2001
12.15 hrs. Title: Situation in north-east following decision to extend ceasefire agreement with NSCN beyond Nagaland MR. SPEAKER: Now, the House will take up Zero Hour.
Shri C. Kuppusami.
SHRI SONTOSH MOHAN DEV (SILCHAR): Sir, I want to speak on Manipur. That is a burning issue. … (Interruptions)
SHRI SOMNATH CHATTERJEE (BOLPUR): Sir, regarding Manipur, the hon. Minister said that we would discuss this matter. Of course, we cannot avoid discussing this matter on the floor of the House. … (Interruptions) That is no concession. … (Interruptions)
MR. SPEAKER: Now, I am calling one by one.
… (Interruptions)SHRI SOMNATH CHATTERJEE : Sir, there are certain matters which are so important which cannot really brook any delay. The situation of Manipur is like that. The entire people of Manipur are on the streets. There is almost an uprising. Nothing is functioning there. Hundreds and hundreds of people and thousands of women are on the streets. Children are on the streets. The students are on the streets. The Assembly has been burnt down and the Government offices have been burnt down. There is no security for anybody including the Ministers, the MPs and the MLAs. Now, this is the situation. It has been because of a totally high-handed, totally unrealistic attitude on the part of the Government of India in agreeing to the ceasefire area of operation being widened.
Sir, no negotiations took place. There was no discussion with any of the Opposition Parties. Locally, there was no discussion. The Chief Ministers of the North-Eastern States were not consulted, and today, one State of our country is burning and this Government is depending on one interlocutor. Now-a-days, these types of phrases are coming. We do not know what he is doing, what is his political authority and what is his legal authority. He goes to Bangkok and now, he is in Amsterdam. Everything has been left to him. We do not know what is his brief. This Government does not take the House into confidence at all.
We are now meeting after a long break. I can sympathise with the Minister sitting there. He does not even have a voice in the Government. Nobody even listens to him. Our friends from Manipur are here. MLAs cannot go back, MPs cannot go back and Minister cannot go back to Manipur. At least, this Government should immediately come with a statement saying what they propose to do as an immediate action. That cannot wait for a discussion on the Presidential Proclamation in Manipur. Sir, this has to be done, and because there is internecine fighting between NDA parties, a part of the country cannot be allowed to go on flames.
Sir, we demand immediate response from the Government and immediate action to be taken. Now, the Government has taken to path of violence. Firing is going on. Even a woman was killed in a procession that was taken out. Tear gas shells were fired, and houses are being burnt as if this Government is playing a sort of fiddle there. `Rome’ is burning. Sir, this is a very serious situation. We demand immediate action, immediate statement and we want to know what is the Government’s thinking on this.
MR. SPEAKER: Shri Sontosh Mohan Dev, are you also on the same point?
श्री मुलायम सिंह यादव (सम्भल):हमने भी नोटिस दिया है।
अध्यक्ष महोदय : आपने भी मणिपुर के बारे में नोटिस दिया है, पहले संतोष मोहन जी बोलेंगे, फिर आपको चांस दूंगा।He is representing one of the North-Eastern States.
SHRI SONTOSH MOHAN DEV : I thank Shri Mulayam Singh Yadav and Shri Somnath Chatterjee for raising this issue.
Not only Manipur, but also the whole North-East is burning. There is an undercurrent of anger all over the North-East on this issue. Who is guilty for that? It is this NDA Government. Today, in reply to a question, the Minister said, "The Chief Ministers of Assam and Arunachal have already written to them saying as to why, without taking them into confidence, this has been done by a person who has no status in the Government."
When one comes, another goes out -- Jagannath has gone out; B.P. Srivastava has gone out, and now Padmanabiah has come. My point is that there is propaganda by the NDA Government saying that there need be no fear that the territory of Nagaland is going to be increased. A booklet has been published.
Geographically, Manipur covers an area of 16,000 kilometres. The demand of the Muivah Group, Nagaland, and not that of the Nagaland Government, is to increase their area up to 1,20,000 kilometres. Where will the rest of the area come from? It has to come either from Assam, Manipur, Arunachal or Tripura.
What sort of Government are you running? You do not have a geographical idea of the North-East. You tell somebody to go and negotiate. Why should he not negotiate within the country, and why should he go to Bangkok, Hong Kong and Amsterdam? The Prime Minister met an all-party delegation. We welcome it. But what did he say? He said, "I will review the situation." When? When the whole of Manipur is finished! MR. SPEAKER: Shri Sontosh Mohan Dev, in the Leaders’ meeting, we have agreed to discuss this matter in the House.
SHRI SONTOSH MOHAN DEV : Sir, I always listen to you. Today, please do not stop me. I will take another two minutes.
The day before yesterday, 50,000 people, men, women and children, came on to the streets defying the curfew. What does it mean? It means that the people of Manipur have come on to the streets to safeguard their interests. Those national newspapers which said that Manipuris were ‘parochial’ were wrong. The Government of Nagaland said, "We do not want any conflict, we want ceasefire. We want all parties to come together and say that we have this law and order problem." I request you to give priority to it after Kashmir, and discussions must be held here. I object if it is taken up along with the discussion on the ratification of the President’s Rule. If you want the ratification of the President’s Rule, before that, on the floor of the House, you have to convince the nation and us as to what is your viewpoint and how you want to go about it. Then only, on behalf of my Party, I can say that we will support the ratification of the President’s Rule. Otherwise, please remember that you will have another problem.… (Interruptions)
MR. SPEAKER: You can also associate yourself.
SHRI BIJOY HANDIQUE (JORHAT): We also associate ourselves with what has been stated by him.… (Interruptions)
SHRI K.A. SANGTAM (NAGALAND): Sir, I am also from North-East.
MR. SPEAKER: Please understand that I am calling the names of those Members who have given the notices. Shri Banatwalla has given the notice, and I have called him.
… (Interruptions)
MR. SPEAKER: What is this? You have also given the notice, but you are not understanding my point. You have given the notice, Shri Banatwalla has given the notice. I am calling the names of those Members who have given the notices.
SHRI K.A. SANGTAM : Sir, you have to give me a chance.
SHRI G.M. BANATWALLA (PONNANI): Mr. Speaker, Sir, the situation in Manipur and the entire North-East is very serious. … (Interruptions)
अध्यक्ष महोदय : मुलायम सिंह जी, आपका उनके बाद है। उन्होंने नोटिस दिया है, इसलिए हमने उनको पहले मौका दिया है।
SHRI K.A. SANGTAM : We have also given the notices.
MR. SPEAKER: That is why, I am calling the names of those Members who have given the notices on the same subject.
SHRI G.M. BANATWALLA : We all know that killings are going on, and the houses are being burnt. The people’s representatives, the MLAs, the MPs, are kept out of bounds. They cannot return to Manipur. The entire North-East is in a state of agitation.
The Government suo motu ought to have come forward with a statement. We condemn this attitude of indifference on the part of the Government. The House, the nation and the entire North-Eastern region has the right to know from the Government, through a suo motu statement of the Government, as to what is its thinking on various matters.
Sir, it is absolutely essential that the Government make an immediate statement on the floor of the House. That the Government has failed to come forward immediately with a suo motu statement is condemnable on one part, but then, the time demands, the situation demands that the Government now, without any further loss of time, make a statement on the serious situation on the floor of the House and let us know as to the decisions that are being taken. … (Interruptions)
SHRI K.A. SANGTAM : Sir, I have given notice… (Interruptions)
MR. SPEAKER: Your name is also here in the list. I would call your name also.
… (Interruptions)
MR. SPEAKER: Shri Mulayam Singhji, sometimes you also have to give notice.
… (Interruptions)
श्री मुलायम सिंह यादव :अध्यक्ष महोदय, आज सदन में सबसे गम्भीर मामला पूर्वोत्तर का है। जैसा संतोष मोहन देवजी ने कहा, मणिपुर ही नहीं पूरे के पूरे पूर्वोत्तर में आग लगी हुई है। मैं उन बातों को दोहराना नहीं चाहता हूं, विद्यार्थी, वकील, बच्चे, महिलायें, आम जनता - सभी लोग सड़कों पर हैं। मैं अफसोस के साथ कहना चाहता हूं, हमारे ही देश के मणिपुर राज्य के लोग कह रहे हैं कि हम अलग से लोक सभा बनायेंगे। उन्होने एक सीमा भी निश्चित कर दी है, ३१ जुलाई तक अगर सरकार मणिपुर से युद्ध विराम समाप्त करने का निर्णय नहीं लेती है, तो हम अपनी मणिपुर लोक सभा का गठन करेंगें। यह भावना क्या है और यह भावना क्यों पैदा हुई?यह भावना इसलिए पैदा हुई, क्योंकि पुलिस की गोली के कारण २० लोगों की हत्यायें हो चुकी हैं। उसके बाद बीस दिन तक घरों में आग लगती रही, सचिवालय में आग लगी, एसेम्बली में आग लगी, स्पीकर के घर आग लगी, मनिस्टरों के घर आग लगी, तथा करोडों की क्षति हुई । इतना सब कुछ होने पर भी सरकार की तरफ से कोई प्रतनधि वहां नहीं गया। वहां प्रवेश ही नहीं कर सके। इसका मतलब यह है कि जो अलगाव पैदा हुआ है, उसका कारण सरकार की नीतियां हैं। मैं अफसोस के साथ कह रहा हूं कि देश की एकता और अखण्डता को बनाए रखने में यह सरकार अक्षम है। इस सरकार के रहते हुए, मुझे नजर आ रहा है कि देश की एकता व अखंडता को खतरा पैदा हो गया है। पूर्वोत्तर के लोग यहां तक कहने लगे हैं कि हम इंडिया जा रहे हैं, वे यह नहीं कहते हैं कि दिल्ली जा रहे हैं, हिन्दुस्तान या अपने देश में घूम रहे हैं, दूसरे सूबे में जा रहे हैं। अगर इस भावना को शान्त नहीं किया गया, तो देश के बंटवारे के अलावा कोई रास्ता नहीं बचेगा । इस बात को मैंने कल आपके चैम्बर में भी कहा था और आज भी कह रहा हूं, कश्मीर की समस्या से मणिपुर की समस्या/स्थिति ज्यादा गम्भीर है। वहां कोई भी जनप्रतनधि अपने घर में नहीं रह सकता। वे लोग आपकी शरण में आए हुए हैं और प्रधान मंत्री जी, गृह मंत्री जी तथा विपक्ष के नेताओं से रक्षा की गुहार कर रहे हैं। हमारी मदद कीजिए और हमें किसी तरह से मणिपुर भेजिए, लेकिन भेज नहीं पा रहे हैं। उनको एक महीना हो गया है। यह कह रहे हैं कि वहां कौन सी एसेम्बली चल रही है, सरकार की यह संवेदनहीन भावना है।
ये सरकार में बैठे लोग कहेंगे कि क्या फर्क पड़ता है, एक-दो महीने यहां बने रहेंगे। कहां बच्चे हैं, कहीं परिवार है। वहां हमले हो रहे हैं। आग लगी हुई है, घरों में हत्याएं हो रही हैं, पुलिस गोली चला रही है।…( व्यवधान )सड़कों पर गोलियां चलते आप देख रहे हैं। ...(व्यवधान) इलेक्ट्रोनिक मीडिया न हो तो हम लोगों को जानकारी न हो सके। इलेक्ट्रोनिक मीडिया एवं अखबारों के माध्यम से जानकारी हो रही है। हमारी आपको सावधान करने की जिम्मेदारी है। आपकी नजरों में, इस मामले को लाने की जिम्मेदारी हमारी है और यह देखना आपकी जिम्मेदारी है कि अलगाव की समस्या को कैसे दूर किया जाए, आज पूर्वोत्तर के लोग कैसे कह रहे हैं कि हम हिन्दुस्तान जा रहे हैं? इस भावना को रोकिए। आप तत्काल सरकार की तरफ से वक्तव्य दीजिए। मैंने तभी कहा था कि आगरा से पहले चर्चा अगर मणिपुर की हो जाती तो अच्छा था। मैं स्वीकार करता। आगरा दूसरे नम्बर पर, यूटीआई तीसरे नम्बर पर हो जाता, कोई फर्क नहीं पड़ता। हवाला, घोटाला, तहलका और यूटीआई, ये तो न जाने कब टी.टी. कृष्णमाचारी से लेकर चले हैं। इन्हें रोकने की जरूरत है, हम मानते हैं लेकिन जब देश ही टूटेगा, देश का बिखराव हो जाएगा, संसद पर खतरा पैदा हो जाएगा तो बताइए कहां यूटीआई होगा, कहां भ्रष्टाचार होगा। इसलिए हमारी अपील है कि आप तत्काल वक्तव्य दीजिए और बताइए कि आप मणिपुर की समस्या का समाधान कैसे कर हैं तथा जन प्रतनधियों को कब तक भेज रहे हैं? वहां के लोग कब तक शांत हो रहे हैं? इस बारे में गृह मंत्री जी आज वक्तव्य देते तो अच्छा रहता। प्रधानमंत्री जी के साथ यह वक्तव्य आ जाता तो बहुत अच्छा रहता। वहां भी कुछ लोगों में बातचीत करने की भावना पैदा होती। आप किस-किस से इस समस्या के विषय में बात कर रहे हैं, मुझे नहीं पता। कहां किसे विश्वास में लिया जा रहा है, कौन इस समस्या को हल कर रहा है, ये सब किस मंत्री के जिम्मे हैं। इसे कौन देख रहा है, अभी तक हमें पता नहीं वरना उससे पूछ लेते। इसलिए तत्काल वक्तव्य दीजिए और इसे गम्भीरता से लीजिए। आप प्राथमिकता के आधार पर मणिपुर पर सदन के अन्दर चर्चा कराईये। और पूरे पूर्वोत्तर को विश्वास में लीजिए, यही हमारी आपसे अपील है।
SHRI K.A. SANGTAM : Mr. Speaker, Sir, I thank the House for giving this much of importance to the Naga cease-fire issue and expressing its concern over the incidents taking place in the North-East.
It is a known fact that the Naga issue is a political issue and it is a movement which started prior to the Independence of India. The Government of India has been able to recognise it and has been able to bring people to the talking table and declare a cease-fire with various factions and groups of the movement.
MR. SPEAKER: You can associate with other Members on this issue.
SHRI K.A. SANGTAM : I would like to point out here that as an outcome of Bangkok talks between NSCN(IM) Group and the Government of India, a serious situation has developed which is of great concern not only for Manipur or the North-East but for the entire country. The Government of India should have taken the opinion of the States involved before such a decision is taken.
MR. SPEAKER: We are not discussing the entire subject now. You can associate with other Members.
… (Interruptions)
SHRI K.A. SANGTAM : Sir, the way you are reacting to my submission indicates that you do not want to hear me.
MR. SPEAKER: The other leaders also want to support you. That is why I am asking you to associate with them.
SHRI K.A. SANGTAM : Sir, at the time when the cease-fire was declared and the negotiations were to take place, why did the Government of India not consult the States of the North-East, including my State Nagaland? There was not a single word from the interlocutor or the Government of India in this regard seeking their view. I find that the interlocutor is under the PMO whereas the Ministry which is looking after the States of North-East is the Ministry of Home Affairs. We do not know as to who is actually handling this issue! Earlier we have seen peace talks taking place between the ‘Federal Government of Nagaland’ and the Government of India. Peace talks were taken up directly by the then Prime Minister Indira Gandhi. Six rounds of talks were held. But, because Mr. A.Z. Phizo, who was in London, could not come to sign the accord, the cease-fire and the peace talks were called off.
Now, we are able to go to the extent of talking to them directly through some interlocutor. The situation prevailing in Manipur is already exploded.
Sir, the hon. Prime Minister in reply to Starred Question No. 25 had assured that the cease fire agreement including the words ‘without territorial limits’ incorporated in the agreement will be reviewed.
MR. SPEAKER: Is it the way to raise the mater in the ‘Zero Hour’?
SHRI K.A. SANGTAM : Sir, it is a very important and serious matter. If the Government do not give a serious thought on this kind of a matter, who will listen to us? Already, a time bomb is fixed to Nagaland. The clock is ticking. So, if this cease fire is reviewed, the situation arising from Nagaland will be much more worse and it will spill over to the whole of the North-East.
So, the Government of India has to explain as to how they will go about it to resolve this issue. We already know, 31st July is the deadline. If the Government of India does not tackle this issue in a proper perspective, I tell you, a time bomb is already fixed in Nagaland and the moment it is reviewed, it will explode not only in Nagaland but also in the whole of the North-East. It will also spill over to other parts of India.
So, I would like to get a proper answer from the Government of India about the cease fire review. Thank you.
श्री चन्द्रशेखर (बलिया, उ.प्र.) : अध्यक्ष जी, अभी कुछ माननीय सदस्यों ने मणिपुर के सवाल को उठाया। नगालैंड की समस्या के बारे में इस सरकार का जो रुख रहा है वह प्रारम्भ से ही आपत्तिजनक रहा है। नगालैंड में शांति होनी चाहिए, इस बात पर किसी के दो मत नहीं हो सकते। नगालैंड के मुख्यमंत्री को मैं वर्षों से जानता हूं और अभी कुछ दिन पहले वे हमसे मिले भी थे। शायद यह पहली बार होगा कि सरकार वार्ता कर रही हो और वहां के मुख्यमंत्री को उस बारे में कोई सूचना भी न हो। नगालैंड के मुख्यमंत्री में जो भी कमजोरियां हों लेकिन वे २०-२५ वर्षों से अकेले व्यक्ति हैं जो कहते रहे हैं कि नगालैंड हिंदुस्तान का एक हिस्सा है - चाहे वह फिजो का जमाना रहा हो या दूसरा समय रहा है। मैं उस जमाने में भी नगालैंड में गया था जब माइकल-स्कॉट, जयप्रकाश जी और फिजो से बातचीत चल रही थी। सरकार यदि यह विश्वास करती है कि वहां पर एक सरकार है, वहां एक मुख्यमंत्री है तो उस मुख्यमंत्री को बिना बताए हुए वार्ता कौन लोग चला रहे है जब एकता बनाए रखने की बात होती है। हमारे मंत्री जी बैठे हैं और जो लोग राज्यों को बहुत महत्व देना चाहते हैं और इसी बल पर सरकार रोज-रोज वक्तव्य भी देती है, मैं उस दूरी तक जाने के लिए उनके साथ तैयार भी नहीं हूं। जिन व्यक्तियों से ये लोग बात कर रहे हैं वे कौन व्यक्ति हैं? शायद नगालैंड में उनको कम लोग ही जानते हैं। एक उन्माद फैलाने वाले व्यक्ति से बैंकाक में जाकर बात क्यों होती है? भारत की धरती पर बात न होकर भारत से बाहर बात क्यों होती है? इसका मतलब यह है कि बुराई हम जानबूझकर पैदा कर रहे हैं। अभी हमारे माननीय प्रधानमंत्री जी ने वक्तव्य दिया। हमारे आचरण से ऐसे तत्वों को बल मिलता है जो कहते हैं कि सरकार पर कहीं भी दबाव डाला जा सकता है। इस दबाव के अंदर जो कुछ किया गया है उसके अंदर मणिपुर के लोगों का उत्तेजित होना स्वभाविक है। मैं कहता हूं कि नगालैंड के लोगों में भी वही प्रवृत्ति पैदा हो गयी है। इस राष्ट्र को सरकार ने ऐसी विषम स्थिति में लाकर खड़ा कर दिया है कि यदि मणिपुर में सरकार शांति कायम करने की कोशिश करेगी तो नगालैंड में अशांति होगी। मैं इस विवाद को बढ़ाना नहीं चाहता हूं। यहां पर माननीय मंत्री जी बैठे हैं। मैं विशेषकर माननीय प्रमोद महाजन जी से कहूंगा कि हर पार्टी के लोगों से जिनका संपर्क वहां के लोगों से हो, मिलकर इसका कोई रास्ता निकालें। याद रखिये, आज गृहमंत्री जी और प्रधान मंत्री जी के बस में वहां की स्थिति नहीं रह गयी है, स्थिति जनता के हाथों में रह गयी है और उसको संभाल पाना इस सरकार के लिए संभव दिखाई नहीं पड़ता है। मैं बहुत दु:खी मन से यह बात कह रहा हूं। मणिपुर के लोगों को सांत्वना दीजिए। नहीं तो जो बात हमारे मित्र ने कही, कहीं नगालैंड में न दोहराई जाए तथा स्थिति और विषम हो जाए।
डॉ. रघुवंश प्रसाद सिंह (वैशाली): मणिपुर जलवा दिया, अब नगालैंड में आग लग गयी है।…( व्यवधान )
अध्यक्ष महोदय : हम आपको बुलाएंगे, अभी आप बैठ जाइये।
डॉ. रघुवंश प्रसाद सिंह : अध्यक्ष महोदय, केन्द्र सरकार ने पहले मणिपुर को जला दिया और अब नागालैंड में आग लग गई है।…( व्यवधान )
SHRI K. YERRANNAIDU (SRIKAKULAM): Mr. Speaker, Sir, it is the most important issue. Already the delegation from Manipur has met the Prime Minister, the Home Minister and all the leaders of the political parties. They have given a deadline; and 31st July is the last date. They have decided to resign by that date.
In this context, I would like to make a request to the Parliamentary Affairs Minister, through you. To resolve all sensitive issues, the Government is convening an all-party meeting. Is there any statement on this issue from the Government side? We have to resolve the issue before 31st of this month. We have to take the elected Chief Minister into confidence. In the meanwhile, all party meeting should be convened; we should know the ground situation and how to tackle it. This is a common issue for the whole country; all the political parties are concerned; they are also a part of this country. We have to analyse the ground situation of this sensitive issue. We have to give thrust to resolve this issue and to restore peace in Manipur, Nagaland and in the rest of the North Eastern States. This is my request. We have to take it as a serious issue. Deadline is 31st July and so, we should give top priority to this issue. This is my humble suggestion, on behalf of the Telugu Desam Party. … (Interruptions)
MR. SPEAKER: Let the Minister reply. We are not on a full-fledged discussion.
… (Interruptions)
MR. SPEAKER: We have to ascertain the reaction of the Government. Let the Government say something.
… (Interruptions)
MR. SPEAKER: If you want to discuss the Manipur issue, we can take up the discussion straightway. But this is ‘Zero Hour’. Today I have received notices from 38 hon. Members to raise different issues.
… (Interruptions)
MR. SPEAKER: Do you mean that other matters are not important?
… (Interruptions)
SHRI P.H. PANDIYAN (TIRUNELVELI): Sir, it is quite unfortunate that the federal character of the State is not understood by the Government of India. The Chief Minister has not been taken into confidence; so, the whole constitutional machinery has come to a standstill. … (Interruptions)
MR. SPEAKER: This is ‘Zero Hour’; please understand this.
… (Interruptions)
SHRI P.H. PANDIYAN : Sir, the question of North East – Manipur or Nagaland – is the concern of the people of India; it is the concern of all the States. It is not an issue pertaining to one State. We live in India and we are also a part of India. We come to this Parliament as a Member of Indian Parliament. So, it is high time that this Government takes the Chief Minister into confidence at least before the 31st. Otherwise, what is the use of hearing the views of the MLAs? Are they descendants of a particular political line? There are defections also. … (Interruptions) The MLAs have threatened to resign. What does it mean? The Chief Minister should have been taken into confidence by the Government of India. They should have negotiated with the Chief Minister. We cannot negotiate with an outsider; we cannot negotiate with a person who is not constitutionally accountable. Then, who is accountable?
MR. SPEAKER: Shri Pandiyan, please sit down.
SHRI P.H. PANDIYAN: Gen. Pervez Musharraf was talking to leaders of Hurriyat Conference; but we cannot talk to an outsider. The Central Government has bungled this issue, it has magnified this issue; and it has failed in this issue. It is the cause for all the unrest in North East. It has not handled this issue properly. At least now, we would like to alert the Government and we would like to warn the Government so that it consults the constitutional authority. … (Interruptions) I associate myself with what has been said, on behalf of my party, the All India Anna DMK; and we, all the Members sitting here, express our solidarity on this issue. … (Interruptions)
MR. SPEAKER: Hon. Minister may reply.
श्री रघुनाथ झा (गोपालगंज):अध्यक्ष महोदय, मैं इस बारे में भाषण नहीं देना चाहता। प्रधान मंत्री जी ने कहा कि इस बारे में रिव्यू करेंगे लेकिन मैं उनसे पूछना चाहता हूं कि जब पूरा मणिपुर जल जाएगा क्या तब वह इसे रिव्यू करेंगे?…( व्यवधान )
MR. SPEAKER: I have called the hon. Minister.
… (Interruptions)
SHRI MANI SHANKAR AIYAR (MAYILADUTURAI): Sir, Shri Rajkumar Wangcha is from Arunachal Pradesh; he may be given a chance. … (Interruptions)
MR. SPEAKER: Shri Mani Shankar Aiyar, please understand that this is ‘Zero Hour’. We are not having a discussion. You are a senior Member and please understand this.
We had taken up the issue in the Leaders’ Meeting also. We are going to discuss it in the House. Why should you plead the case for other Members?
… (Interruptions)
MR. SPEAKER: Do you mean to say that others are not serious about the subject?
SHRI RAJKUMAR WANGCHA (ARUNACHAL EAST): Please allow me to speak.… (Interruptions)
SHRI VAIKO (SIVAKASI): Other Members, who have given notices for raising other issues, should also be accommodated.… (Interruptions)
MR. SPEAKER: I have got 38 such notices.
… (Interruptions)
MR. SPEAKER: Shri Rajkumar, you can associate yourself with other Members.
… (Interruptions)
SHRI RAJKUMAR WANGCHA : I may be allowed to speak. I do not want to associate with anyone. I would like to give my own views.
First of all, I blame the present Government for the problem that has been created in the entire Northeast. The Central Government has not taken the popular State Government into confidence. We have been raising this issue time and again with the Central Government. The Union Government has appointed Shri Padmanabhaia as the interlocutor. I would like to know, what is his status? What does he know about the Northeast? He has made a mess of the whole issue. Today, it is not the question of extension of cease-fire to Manipur, Arunachal or Assam. We have to see in totality what is going on in the Northeast before, during and after the recent declaration of the cease-fire by the Central Government. I think the present Government has helped the insurgent groups to spread in all the Northeastern States. Arunachal Pradesh was known as one of the most peaceful States in the whole of the country. But after this decision of the Government, the insurgents have spread in three to four districts of Arunachal Pradesh also. From reliable sources we have come to know that they are even making passage to China also, which is detrimental to the interest of our nation’s security. I would like to highlight some incidents which occurred in the last one month.
On 11th July, three CRPF men were killed in the district Headquarters of Tirap. On 20th July, six CRPF men were killed on the spot and other six were injured. On 13th June, nine Assam Rifles Personnel were killed in the areas bordering Assam. These are the incidents which have been occurring after the extension of cease-fire in these areas. We have got the authentic reports that these insurgent groups are encouraging some of the militants in Arunachal Pradesh and they are making a passage to China. The Government of India should be well aware of such things. Yesterday also, there was an incident in North Kachchar district where three CRPF men were killed. So, this is the situation in the Northeast. We have not only to see the extension but also the continuity of the cease-fire. What has happened after the declaration of cease-fire in Nagaland? We are not against peace talks but the Central Government has not been able to handle the situation nicely and this is what is agitating us.… (Interruptions)
SHRI BIJOY HANDIQUE : Sir, you may look to this side also.
MR. SPEAKER: You can associate yourself with what the other Members have spoken.
SHRI BIJOY HANDIQUE : How can I? The hon. Member said that he is giving his own views.… (Interruptions)
THE MINISTER OF PARLIAMENTARY AFFAIRS AND MINISTER OF INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY (SHRI PRAMOD MAHAJAN): Hon. Speaker, Sir, I share the concern of the hon. Members about the situation in Northeast in general, Manipur in particular and about Naga cease-fire and its ramifications.
I also appreciate the argument that the solution to the situation in Manipur cannot wait for a parliamentary debate because Parliament has its own dynamics. There are many issues to be discussed and one cannot wait till Parliament discusses it or clears the Presidential Rule or other things. I appreciate that argument. We are also aware of the 31 July dead-line given by the people of Manipur.
Sir, the House may be aware that the Prime Minister has already called the meeting of the Chief Ministers of these States by this Saturday. At the same time, I take the suggestion made by hon. Shri Chandra Shekhar that the Members should also be consulted by the Home Minister. So, I will communicate the seriousness expressed here, the solutions sought here, the consultations sought here, as also the criticism that has been made to the Home Minister at the earliest. My only request is that on such a serious matter, if it would have been known to me that we are having a smaller discussion then, I would have requested the Home Minister personally to be present here… (Interruptions). Sir, you will appreciate that it is difficult for the Minister of Parliamentary Affairs to answer the nuances of the situation.
As I have said, we have already convened a meeting of all Chief Ministers’ from those States. But still I have taken the suggestions made by you and I will ask the Home Minister to have a discussion with you. I am aware that the Home Minister is consulting a few Opposition Parties of the Rajya Sabha today only. I will ask him to consult Lok Sabha Members also. But as I said, we cannot wait for the discussion in Parliament. I will communicate the seriousness expressed by the House to the Home Minister at the earliest.
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