IMPHAL/NEW DELHI, Nov 17 (Newmai News Network): The government of India is very much interested to start the dialogue with the Kuki militant organisations at the earliest date and the ground work for the talks will begin soon. Officials from the Ministry of Home Affairs will come to Manipur to work out the modalities for the talks with the Kuki militant organisations within a short period.
Disclosing this information to Newmai News Network tonight, Manipur deputy chief minister Gaikhangam said immediately after the forthcoming Parliament Session the government of India will start the ground works for holding the talks with the two umbrella organisations of the Kuki militants, viz, the Kuki National Organisation (KNO) and the United People`s Front (UPF).
Gaikhangam said this after having had met Union home minister Sushil Kumar Shinde at around 5 pm today in New Delhi and apprised him about the development in Manipur pertaining to KNO, UPF and Kuki State Demand Committee (KSDC).
“The honourable Union home minister (Sushil Kumar Shinde) was forward and keen in starting the dialogue with the Kuki militants at the earliest date,” said the deputy chief minister of Manipur. When asked if any formal missive has been given to the Kuki organisations by the government of India, Gaikhangam however said, “Since the Parliament Session begins from November 22, everybody is busy at the moment and I think it is going to be only after the Parliament Session gets over.” The deputy chief minister then said, “The KNO, UPF and others don`t have to worry. Surely, the dialogue will start at the earliest possible date. First, the ground works—to chalk out modalities for which officials from the Ministry of Home Affairs will be landing soon in Imphal.” He then appeals the Kuki organisations not to go ahead with the blockade in the interest public.
Meanwhile, Kuki State Demand Committe (KSDC) secretary Benjamin Mate and its information secretary George Guite informed Newmai News Network that the Committee has gone ahead with the `public blockade` since 5 pm today. “If need be total bandh will be imposed soon,” warns George Guite.
The indefinite “public blockade” in all the highways passing through “Kuki areas” in Manipur was announced on November 12 by the Kuki State Demand Committee (KSDC) in demand ‘for a separate Kuki state to be carved out of `Kuki traditional lands` incorporated within the present day Manipur.