3 weeks ago
Manipur Government, United Naga Council Hold Fruitful, Cordial First Talks
The government of Manipur, a state in India, met with a group called the United Naga Council.
It was their first meeting, and both sides said it was friendly and helpful.
A government spokesperson called it an 'ice breaker,' which means a good first step.
The United Naga Council has been blocking the big roads in Manipur since June.
Because of the roadblock, trucks cannot easily bring food and other important supplies to people.
This has made the prices of food go up in the state.
The Naga group has four demands, and it says it will only stop the roadblock when those demands are met.
One demand is to cancel a special agreement with another group, and another is to arrest people accused of hurting six villagers.
More meetings will be held so the two sides can keep talking and try to find a peaceful solution.
The first round of talks between the Manipur government and the United Naga Council (UNC) in Senapati was described as 'fruitful and cordial'.
Government spokesperson Thokchom Radheshyam called the meeting an 'ice breaker' and said a series of further talks will follow.
UNC president Ng Lorho said the highway blockade will not be lifted until the organisation's four-point charter of demands is fulfilled.
The UNC's demands include abrogation of the Suspension of Operations (SoO) agreement with Kuki militant groups and arrest of KNF-P cadres allegedly involved in killing six Naga civilians.
The blockade along national highways since June has severely affected essential commodity supplies and pushed up prices of edible items in Manipur.
- Who
- A Manipur government delegation led by Deputy Chief Minister L Dikho and Home Minister Govindas Konthoujam, and United Naga Council (UNC) representatives led by president Ng Lorho
- What
- The first round of talks to discuss the UNC's four-point charter of demands amid an ongoing national highway blockade
- Where
- Senapati district headquarters, Manipur, India
- When
- Monday, August 10 (datelined Senapati/Imphal, Aug 10)
- Why
- To resolve issues raised by the Naga apex body, including ending the UNC's highway blockade that has disrupted essential supplies
Government / Centre Position
United Naga Council Position
Suspension of Operations (SoO) Agreement
Government / Centre Position
The SoO policy belongs to the Government of India, and Manipur must go by the Centre's policy and decision.
United Naga Council Position
The UNC demands abrogation of the SoO agreement with Kuki militant groups as part of its four-point charter.
Highway Blockade
Government / Centre Position
The government appealed to the UNC to withdraw the blockade and will continue a series of talks to find a solution.
United Naga Council Position
The UNC will not lift the blockade until its demands are fulfilled and warned of 'more stringent actions' if they are not met.
Key facts
- Event
- First round of Manipur government-UNC talks
- Outcome
- 'Fruitful and cordial' discussions; described as an 'ice breaker'
- Venue
- Senapati district headquarters
- Government delegation
- Led by Deputy Chief Minister L Dikho and Home Minister Govindas Konthoujam
- UNC delegation
- Led by president Ng Lorho
- UNC demands
- Four-point charter, including abrogation of SoO pact with Kuki militant groups, declaring KNF-P a terrorist organisation, removal of deputy chief minister, and arrest of KNF-P cadres
- Blockade
- In place along national highways since June
- Impact
- Severely affected essential commodity supplies and raised prices of edible items
Quotes
Thokchom Radheshyam
Manipur government spokesperson
“Today, United Naga Council and Manipur government representatives led by the deputy chief minister and state home minister came here (Senapati) to discuss and find solutions to several issues. We had fruitful and cordial discussions. This is the first round of discussions and a series of talks will follow to find a solution.”
theprint.in
Ng Lorho
President of the United Naga Council
“We discussed with ministers and MLAs the way forward on how to bring peace. We discussed our four‑point charter of demands, and we stick to it. Unless it is fulfilled, we will not end the blockade.”
theprint.in
Sources
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