SoO meet put off
Source: The Sangai Express / Newmai News Network
Imphal, August 21 2014:
The much hyped meetings between the Government of India, the Government of Manipur, the Kuki Nationa Organisation (KNO) and United People's Front (UPF) slated for August 22 have been postponed due to some technical problem.
The current term of Suspension of Operation (SoO) for both KNO and UPF ends on August 22.However, the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) has reportedly written to the State Government of Manipur few days ago that the SoO will be extended and tripartite meetings with both the KNO and UPF will be held on later dates in New Delhi, according to information received by Newmai News Network this evening.
Suresh Babu, the Principal Secretary of the Manipur Government is on leave and without him there will be some technical problem on the tripartite meetings with KNO and UPF, stated a source.
Sources said that the KNO and the UPF had intimated to the Government that they would sign for the extension another SoO term and following this development the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) had informed the Manipur Government on the matter.
"Even if the SoO extension paper is not signed immediately after its expiry on August 22 there will not be any issue since there is an understanding between the Government and the two umbrella underground organisations," stated the sources.
It can be noted here that both the leaders of KNO and UPF had met Union Minister of State for Home Kiren Rijiju in New Delhi last week.
The Minister had reportedly assured both the groups that the Government would initiate to begin political dialogues soon.
Following this assurance, both KNO and UPF had agreed to extend the SoO after it expires on August 22 .
Defence Secretary of Kuki National Organisation (KNO) Mr T.S.Haokip had met Union Minister of State for Home Kiren Rijiju on August 16 in New Delhi and had discussed on the much hyped commencement of the political dialogue between the two parties in the near future.
The Union Minister of State for Home had assured the KNO leader to engage in the political dialogue soon.
Few days before that, the UPF leaders too were assured by the Union minister for the starting of dialogue.