SENAPATI, MAY 15: The next round of tripartite talk involving the United Naga Council (UNC), the State Government of Manipur and the Central Government will be held on May 19 at Senapati town on the issue of creation of new districts.
Sources said that the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) had communicated the UNC today in this regard. However, the sources said that a ‘written invitation’ for the talk is yet to reach the UNC and the State Government of Manipur from the MHA. It is learnt that due to the North East Chief Secretaries’ meeting convened by the Ministry of Home Affairs, the tripartite talk was postponed for a week.
In the last tripartite talk held on March 19 at Senapati, it was agreed that the “next round of tripartite talks will be resumed within a month’s time at political level”. The one month’s time had lapsed on April 19.
Last week, UNC president, Gaidon Kamei had stated that “we are closely observing” whether the Biren Singh Government has wavered from its earlier position. “Let us hope that the Manipur Government does not indulge in double-talks while dealing with the issue”.
In the March 19 tripartite talk the “grievances of UNC that led to the imposition of economic blockade were recognised as non-adherence to the four Memorandums of Understanding (MoUs) and the Government of India’ assurance on the matter”. In that talk “the Manipur government agreed to start consultation with all stakeholders to redress the same”. Following this, the UNC lifted the four and a half months old economic blockade on the National Highways linking Manipur from the midnight of March 19.
Gaidon Kamei had stated earlier that in the event of the failure from the part of the Manipur Government to keep its commitment to adhere to the four Memorandums of Understanding (MoUs) and assurances, “we have no choice but to initiate necessary movement to defend our rights and lands”.
“Our position is clear on the issue. The Government must honour the four MoUs and the assurance to the Nagas on the issue whatever it is,” asserted Gaidon Kamei, adding, “We are not going to compromise our position.”
Source: The Sangai Express
