Next tripartite talks likely to be deferred
Source: The Sangai Express / Newmai News Network

Senapati, February 21 2018: The next round of tripartite talks on the district creation issue scheduled for February 23 is likely to be deferred by a days.

Sources said that there are various factors, including the ongoing Manipur legislative Assembly session, which may be the causes for the likely deferment of the tripartite talks.

The last round of tripartite talks on the district creation issue was held on November 10, 2017 at Senapati district headquarters where the participating parties had decided that the "next round of the talks will be held on February 23, 2018".Meanwhile, the United Naga Council (UNC) 'Executive Meeting' held today, reviewed the latest political development and situation in the "present Manipur State and the Naga tribal areas" in particular and resolved to state that the Naga people seriously view "the formation of the District Boundary Commission back-door policy of the Manipur State Government as it is a direct challenge to the sentiments of Naga people".

According to the UNC, the Naga people had already rejected the formation of the District Boundary Commission in the tripartite talks held on October 6, 2017 at Senapati district headquarters with the Government of India, the Government of Manipur and the United Naga Council.

Today's Executive Meeting of the UNC demanded that the "recommendation/permit jointly signed by Gaan Ruangmei, chairman Rongmei Students' Organisation Manipur (RSOM) and Singamlung Dangmei, president, Rongmei Naga Youth Organisation, Manipur (RNYOM) on December 1, 2017, and which was given to M/S Asian Oil Field Service to carry out the activities of 2D Seismic Survey in all Rongmei inhabited areas in Manipur for a period of 1 (one) year (i,e 01.12.1017-01.12.2018) should be immediately withdrawn".

The UNC recalled that the MoUs signed on November 22, 2017 between the State Government and 7 private companies in respect of Chromite exploration and mining in the State "without prior informed knowledge and consent of the concerned land owners and Naga tribal peoples should be withdrawn with immediate effect," The meeting said that the UNC has taken serious note of the "statements and comments given out by some unauthorised organizations and individuals which are highly detrimental to the established position and collective wisdom of the Naga people on land, history, identity, culture and time honored institution".

The UNC "strongly cautioned not to repeat such kind of irresponsible statements and decisions in near future".

Finally, UNC informed to all the "Naga regional tribe hohos and frontal organizations" to strictly enforce the directive and collective decision of the Naga people in their respective jurisdictions.

"Any organization or individual who violate this directive shall be at his or her own risk", it further cautioned.

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