IMPHAL, Aug 1: More KCP factions are likely to join the peace process started by the Centre and and state government, according to highly placed sources.
Sources said, the leader of a KCP faction was secretly brought here recently on July 31 by air for informal talks with the state government.
It may be recalled here that, KCP (MC) leader Lanheiba Meitei was released from the Sajiwa Central Jail on July 13. The militant leader who was arrested by Assam Police from Bishnu Rabha Path of Basistha in Guwahati on June 28, 2011 was granted bail by the NIA on July 9.
He is presently lodged at the 30th Assam Rifles HOs preparing for tripartite talks with the state and central governments.
More recently, another faction leader was brought to Imphal after informal parleys.
The sources add, the said leader had met with representatives of state and central intelligence agencies during which the framework for talks was laid on the table.
The faction leader had reportedly told the state representatives that he would have to consult his colleagues and he was optimistic of the group joining the peace bandwagon, sources further said.
The sources were optimistic that more factions of the KCP is likely to come out in the open as the government has been able to open informal channels with them in recent months.
The KCP Lallumba group was the first valley based faction to come out and sign a Suspension of OOperations (SoO) pact with the state and central government.
Talks are on with the group and the leader Lallumba Meitei and his cadres are presently lodged at the Khabeisoi IRB complex.
It may be mentioned here that the IFP had first reported that the central government is preparing for a peace pact with the militant outfit KCP (MC) Lanheiba group in May 2012.
In a brief talk with media persons during his release from the jail on July 13, the militant leader Lanheiba had said that steps for talks was taken up considering peace and stability in the state.
Meanwhile, it may be mentioned that the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) has directed the National Investigating Agency (NIA) not to raise objections in the bail plea of Lanheiba after which the militant leader was granted bail.
IFP had also reported that the Joint Secretary of the Union Home Ministry Sambhu Singh had stealthily arrived into the state capital on June 9 and held talks with concerned state officials regarding the preparation for the signing of the ceasefire pact with the militant outfit.