Former chief minister Okram Ibobi Singh has said the Congress will never accept any terms or conditions that will harm the territorial integrity of Manipur arising out of the peace talks agreement between the Centre and the NSCN (I-M).

Ibobi Singh, who is also the Congress Legislature Party (CLP) leader, made the statement after submitting a memorandum to governor Najma Heptulla at Raj Bhavan as well as to Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Union home minister Amit Shah through the governor’s office.

“'The hill districts of the state are very much a part of Manipur and whatever arises out of the final talks between the NSCN (I-M) and the Centre, must not harm or affect the territorial integrity of Manipur,” he said.

The Congress had even contemplated going to New Delhi but had to forgo the plan as the peace talks is a common factor for the state of Manipur.

“We believed that the state government is sending an all-party delegation to the capital on the same issue in the larger interest of the state.” He added that the Naga peace talks have brought doubts and created apprehension in the minds of the people of Manipur as the framework agreement has never been made public. Therefore, the Congress and the people of Manipur hope the talks’ fallout does not create disunity and disharmony among the various sections of the people residing in the state.

“The Congress party will wait for the Centre’s response and act accordingly in case the latter fails to provide a positive response towards the issue.” Former minister and newly appointed Congress president Moirangthem Okendro Singh along with former president Gaikhangam, Congress MLAs and top party functionaries were part of the delegation to Raj Bhavan.

Former minister Okendra Singh was appointed PCC president by the AICC earlier this month.