Newmai News Network
Imphal, Sep 21: A `preliminary` round of talks between the United Naga Council (UNC) and Manipur government was held in New Delhi today facilitated by the Central government on the imbroglio prevailing in Manipur.
A source from UNC disclosed that today`s meeting was just a kind of a `preliminary` chalking out the dates and the venue for the serious dialogue between the representatives of the Naga body and the Government of Manipur.
It was agreed upon that New Delhi has been fixed as the venue for the main talks but no precise date was fixed. However, the source said that it has been agreed upon that the talks would be held within September. Today`s meeting also decided that the number of representatives from each side would be limited to just six persons who have the authority to take decision on behalf of their respective parties i.e the UNC and the Government of Manipur.
The UNC has been demanding that the recently formed Autonomous District Councils in Manipur hills be declared as null and void. Another demand has been to institute a judicial inquiry into the May 6 Mao Gate firing incident that had claimed two lives and injured several others. The Naga body also demanded from the Central government to make an `alternative arrangement` for the Nagas in Manipur.
Meanwhile, the UNC in a press communique said that the first tripartite meeting of the Government of Manipur, United Naga Council (UNC) and the Government of India was held today at North Block, New Delhi to address the representation submitted to the Prime Minister of India for an alternative arrangement for the Nagas in Manipur. The meeting was convened by the Union Home Secretary, at the instance of the Home Minister of India.
In the meeting New Delhi appreciated the UNC for the suspension of the economic blockade to create a congenial atmosphere for the dialogue and assured the Naga body that the price tags on the Naga leaders by the Government of Manipur; the issue of conducting a judicial enquiry into the May 6 incident at Mao Gate, wherein two students were shot dead and more than 100 injured in state force firing and the lifting of Prohibitory order u/s 144 CrPC in the hill areas would be taken up in right earnest with the concerned authorities as a confidence building measure, the UNC press note said.
