IMPHAL/Lamka, November 20 (Newmai News Network): Today’s talk between the state government and the agitating Kuki State Demand Committee, KSDC failed to bring any amicable solution.
Hence, the Kuki State Demand Committee will continue its `public blockade`.
“We will go on with the public blockade for two or three more days and decide the next course of action (to intensify the agitation)”, said KSDC information secretary George Guite to Newmai News Network this evening.
Meanwhile, Tuesday’s talks proved effective to both sides and the end result was expected very soon, Deputy Chief Minister Gaikhangam told the media at his office chamber after the meeting this morning. The meeting was held at the office chamber of Gaikhangam in the Old Secretariat from 10:20 am till 11:30 am.
In view of the 30th Junior National Softball Championship 2012 to be started from tomorrow at the Main Stadium, Khuman Lampak Sports Complex as well as Manipur Sangai Festival which also starts tomorrow and TET exam scheduled for November 27, the state govt side had strongly urged the KSDC to withdraw the strike, Gaikhangam said.
He reiterated that the stage has been set to start peace talks between Kuki militant outfits and the Govt after the Winter Session of Parliament and said the state Government is very much keen on the proposed peace process and also taking effective role to start it, he added.
Gaikhangam also told the KSDC side that if the state and Central Government fail to take positive steps towards that end the Kuki organization can resume its stir. Telling this to the KSDC representatives, the Deputy CM asked them to end the ongoing public blockade.
Yet, the KSDC leaders failed to give immediate word to the state Government side on withdrawal of the blockade saying they would first convene a joint meeting of the committee to discuss it.
They also assured that the decision would be intimated to the govt on Tuesday itself.
Asked what steps would be taken in the event of failure of the KSDC to give positive response about ending the stir, he said the state Govt would provide security escort to the public travelling on the Highways and measures are taken to make available essential commodities as usual. But, Gaikhangam said he was optimistic that KSDC would call off the strike in the interest of the public.