UNC sees ray of hope in rejection, acknowledges Delhi's role...
Optimistic of solution sans State Govt
Source: The Sangai Express / NNN

Imphal, July 01 2011: Despite the negative response of the Centre and the State Government to the alternative arrangement model raised by the United Naga Council (UNC) for the Nagas in Manipur during the June 30 tripartite talk at Senapati, the apex Naga civil body has said that it is optimistic that its efforts will bear fruit in the future.

The UNC also expressed optimism that the Centre will "surely evolve an alternative arrangement outside the State Government subject to the pending final Naga solution" .

Thursday's talk involving representatives of the Centre, State and UNC was inconclusive, a UNC statement released today, said.

" � Yet it had paved the way to a more tangible position for the coming talks since both the parties (GOM and UNC) adamantly maintain their political stands, a direct and an unilateral intervention of the GoI is necessitated to manage the political stalemate before the situation goes out our hands.

Now, the ball is in the court of the GoI," the statement added.

The UNC 'sincerely' appreciate the Ministry of Home Affairs for their undaunted effort in convening the 3rd tripartite talk held at Senapati district headquarters, it said.

UK Bansal (R) after the talk at Senapati, June 30

Though resented by the State Government at the instance of the 'majority community' the talk was , however, held as per an MHA letter addressed to the UNC president to discuss the memorandum dated September 14 last year submitted by the UNC to Prime Minister Manmohan Singh, added the statement.

"Considering the historical, constitutional, present political stand and the unalterable/irreversible facts presented to the Centre by the Nagas in Manipur, the UNC is optimistic that the Government of India will surely evolve an Alternative Arrangement outside the Government of Manipur subject to pending final Naga solution," added the UNC statement.

It said the UNC is looking forward to the Centre's assurance given to the Nagas in Manipur.

The last (second) round of tripartite talk was held at the same venue on December 3 last year.

The UNC had announced the decision to sever tie with the State Government during the Naga People's Convention last year.

Sword Vashum, chairman of the 'committee for alternative arrangement' who led the nine-member UNC team said the Thursday's talk was not fruitful as the Government has not conceded to the alternative arrangement demand.

After the two-hour long discourse, representatives of the Delhi and Imphal declined to comply with the alternative administrative arrangement demand.

The genesis of the tripartite talk can be traced to the Naga People's Convention held at Senapati on July 1 last year.