Tripartite talk held without much headway

February 3, 2017 |Newmai News Network

The much hyped 'tripartite talk' involving the United Naga Council (UNC), the Government of India and the Manipur Government was held today in New Delhi over the new district creation issue and also on the follow up situation. However, the parties involved in today's talk have decided to hold another round of talk again after the ongoing Manipur assembly election process is over.

Sources from New Delhi said that the Manipur government representatives requested the UNC leaders to lift the economic blockade in the meantime. The sources said that the Manipur Government representatives told the UNC leaders to consider the position of the former saying the election model code of conduct has been enforced that, nothing can be done at the moment.

The UNC leaders in their reply told the Manipur Government representatives that they can only decide on lifting the blockade only after the 'presidential council meeting' of the UNC. In this connection, the UNC is likely to hold meeting on February 7 in Senapati.

On the demand of the UNC leaders to release UNC President Gaidon Kamei and Information Secretary SK Stephen "unconditionally", the Manipur Government representatives told the former that they will take up the demand with the "higher authority" back home in Imphal "very soon".

The UNC team was led by its President Gaidon Kamei while that of the Manipur Government was led by Additional Chief Secretary Suresh Babu.

Meanwhile, a well placed source said the UNC is likely to lift the economic blockade after its 'Presidential Council meeting'. The source further said that there is 'very high chance' of Manipur Government releasing the two UNC leaders unconditionally any day.

Satyendra, Joint Secretary, Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA), in charge of North East represented the Government of India team. The talk was held at North Block, New Delhi. The meeting started from 3:00 pm and continued till 8:00 pm.