Govt. holds tripartite talks with United Naga Council in Manipur

The seventh round of tripartite talks between the United Naga Council, the Central Government and the Manipur Government over the demand for an alternative arrangement for Nagas of Manipur was held recently at the Senapati District headquarters.

The Central team was led by Shambhu Singh, Joint Secretary (Northeast) in the Union Home Ministry, while the UNC's 10-member delegation was led by its president, L Adani.

The Manipur delegation included Rural Development Minister Francis Ngajokpa and Principal Secretary (Home) Dr. Suresh Babu.

"We have reached an understanding. Maybe we will form a committee to examine their demands," said Shambhu Singh.

"We have placed our views and it has been agreed that the government of India would constitute a committee at the earliest so as to study and translate the demand for an alternative arrangement as postulated into a political reality," said Adani.

The United Naga Council is the apex body of the Nagas in Manipur and has been demanding an alternative arrangement beyond the control of the Manipur government for the Nagas in the state.

The organization frequently calls for strikes in the Naga dominated areas of the state, causing much inconvenience to the common people.

The body has also been threatening to obstruct all national projects to be undertaken in the Naga areas.

The central government has been trying to resolve the issue through dialogue in order to restore peace in the region.