Manipur govt to finalise stand on UNC demand

The Manipur government will finalize it's stand on the demand of the United Naga Council (UNC) to roll back the decision on the creation of seven districts on April 10, official sources said today.

An agreement on it was signed during the day by representatives of the Centre, the Manipur government and the UNC during tripartite talks at Senapati district.

The sources said the Manipur government will inform the Centre and UNC about its stand on the issue, the sources said.

UNC had demanded roll back of the creation of seven new districts in Manipur which had been decided by the previous Congress government led by O Ibobi Singh.

In support of its demand it had sponsored an economic blockade in the Naga-majoity hill districts of Senapati, Tamenglong, Ukhrul and Chandel on November 1, 2016 which crippled the state's economy. The blockade had ended on March 19, 2017 following requests by the Centre.

The BJP is now in power in Manipur under the chief ministership of N Biren Singh.

The tripartite talk was attended by V Hangkhanlian, Agriculture Minister, N Kayisii, Tribal and Hill Areas Development Minister and Thokchom Radheshyam Singh, Education Minister.

UNC was represented by its president Gaidon Kamei, general secretary S Milan, president of All Naga Students Union, Manipur Seth Shatsang and president of Naga Women's Union Asha Wungnam.

The Centre was represented by the joint secretary (north east) in the ministry of home affairs, Satyendra Garg.