The first round of talks between the Manipur government and the United Naga Council (UNC) took place at the Senapati district headquarters today, with the government saying it marked “fruitful and cordial” start of a series of talks on UNC’s demands.
Addressing media persons after the talks, government spokesman and MLA Th. Radheshyam said the delegation, headed by Deputy Chief Minister Losii Dikho and Home Minister K. Govindas Singh, engaged in a discussion on issues troubling the state.
“We had a very fruitful and cordial discussion. It is for the first time that we will discuss issues in a series of discussion and find out solutions,” Radheshyam said.
Hailing today’s discussion as “icebreaker,” he said it was still too early to say anything about its outcome.
UNC to continue Economic Blockade until 4 demands met
The president of the United Naga Council (UNC) has stated that the UNC will persist with its economic blockade until their four demands listed in their charter are met, considering their discussion on Monday with the Manipur state government informal rather than a formal one.
In his press conference, the UNC president said that government officials requested UNC to call off the blockade, but the UNC is adamant that its demands must be met first.
He further said that the UNC is ready for dialogue but formal talks must take place in Senapati and not in Imphal. He also emphasized that the UNC will not make any compromises in its demands until it is satisfied with a proper solution to its demands.
These demands include ending the Suspension of Operations (SoO) agreement with the Kukis, the arrest and prosecution of the persons involved in the May 13 abductions and murders, labeling the Kuki National Front-P (KNF-P) as an unlawful and terrorist group, and removing Nemcha Kipgen from the post of Deputy Chief Minister.
When questioned about the UNC demand for rollback of the 16 district reorganization and restoration of four districts dominated by Nagas, Radheshyam replied that the process was just beginning and the result would depend upon a series of discussions.
In response to the demand for extension of the SoO agreement and demands for its abrogation, he said that he was unaware of the reason for the extension of the SoO agreement and would have to look into it.
Speaking on the demand for the abrogation of the SoO agreement, he said that the matter lies under the policy and decision of the Government of India.
“We are a democratic country and are a part of India, so we have to follow the policy and decision of the Government of India,” he said.
Radheshyam also refrained from mentioning the time frame for addressing the four-point charter of demands put forward by the UNC, saying that the process had just begun and more discussions would be needed.
The delegation of the government reached Senapati at around 11 am. In addition to Dikho and Govindas, the delegation comprised many MLAs and other government officers.