IMPHAL, December 29: Another round of talk between the State government and the Joint Action Committee of Churachandpur formed against the three bills passed by the State Assembly on August 31 ended inconclusive today at the conference hall of the Chief Minister’s bungalow.
The talk which started around 4pm lasted for around two hours and concluded around 6pm.
The two sides however, failed to bring any solution as the JAC remained adamant with their earlier demands, which included withdrawal of the bills or insertion of a clause that the bills will not affect the hill areas and to include a representative of the Centre in the talks between the JAC and the State government.
Sources said during the meeting, the Chief Minister informed the JAC representatives that the government has been holding joint consultative meetings with several tribal leaders to bring a permanent solution regarding the turmoil in the hill districts particularly in Churachandpur since the passing of the three bills.
According to Mangchinkhup, the JAC had submitted their three-point charter of demand to the government on November 9, and had appealed the State government to convey a special Assembly session and take a decision that the three bills will not affect the hill areas.
He said on December 24, the JAC had conveyed a joint consultative meeting with various organisations and again resolved to demand the government to call a special Assembly session and withdraw the three bills or insert a clause that the bills will not affect the hill areas and to include a representative of the Centre in the talks.
He said at this the Chief Minister has urged the JAC representatives to consult eminent judges or advocates and to submit in written the areas in the bills which can adversely affect the hill areas and that the government of Manipur will never have a tripartite talk with any JAC by including representatives of the Centre during talks, however, any JAC can directly approach the Centre on any issue.
Today’s meeting was also convened to resolve the present issue.
The government delegate was led by the Chief Minister and included the entire council of ministers except for the tribal ministers, whereas a 16-member strong JAC team was led by its chief convenor Mangchinkhup.