TODAY -
Pillai, Pandey visit state, take stock of situation
Source: Hueiyen News Service

Imphal, May 11 2010: Union Home Secretary, GK Pillai and GOI's interlocutor of peace talks with the NSCN-IM, RS Pandey arrived in Imphal today and held a meeting with the Chief Minister, O Ibobi along with some senior Cabinet Ministers this late evening and discussed the sensitive issue of Muivah's visit to the state.

The two top officials of the Central government arrived here at about 3 pm.

As soon as they reached Imphal, they called on the Chief Minister, O Ibobi and discussed with them the prevailing situation in the state arising out of the proposed visit of NSCN-IM leader, Th Muivah to the state.

Pillai and Pandey, who are scheduled to fly to Kohima tomorrow, are staying at the Raj Bhavan here.

They are expected to hold discussions with the leaders of the National Socialist Council of Nagaland (NSCN-IM) on arrival at Kohima.

They are likely to call on the Nagaland Chief Minister, Neiphiu Rio and also meet leaders of the Naga Hoho and other Naga frontal organisations of NSCN-IM before leaving for New Delhi by the same special aircraft.

Apart from discussing the sensitive issue of Muivah's visit to Manipur, which the Centre is believed to be pressing the Manipur government to allow, the Home Secretary also discussed the impact of the almost a month-long indefinite economic blockade on the National Highways called by ANSAM and other organisations demanding nullification of the decision of the Manipur government to hold elections to the Autonomous District Councils in the hill districts of Manipur.

The blockade has been further compounded after May 6 incident when two Mao youths were killed and several others hurt in a scuffle between NSNC (IM) supporters and security forces at Mao check gate on the Manipur-Nagaland border.

NCSN (IM) leader, Th Muivah was scheduled to visit Naga inhabited areas in Manipur including his birth-place Somdal in Ukhrul district on that day, but was denied permission by the state government, citing law and order concerns, though the Centre had cleared Muivah's visit.

Some senior ministers of the SPF government and top officials of the state government took part in today's meeting with the Union Home Secretary, GK Pillai and RS Pandey, the source said.

What exactly transpired at the meeting could not be ascertained from the source.

However, the source confirmed that Pillai and Pandey assessed the ground situation of the state and the government's decision barring Muivah's entry in the state.

Meanwhile, a meeting of the Combined Headquarters chaired by the Chief Minister at his official bungalow attended by top brass of the Central security establishments.

State Chief Secretary, DS Poonia, GOC of 57 Mountain Division, Maj Gen DS Hooda, IG AR (South), Maj Gen CA Krishnan, DGP Manipur, Y Joykumar, etc.

were among those who attended the meeting.





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