UPF confident of political dialogue
Source: The Sangai Express
Imphal, December 30 2012:
The United People's Front (UPF), one of the two conglomerates of Kuki UG groups under SoO pact with the Government of India and Government of Manipur has exuded confidence that a political dialogue would be initiated very soon.
Talking to The Sangai Express, UPF convenor Aron Kipgen said that the first round of political dialogue involving the outfit, Government of India and Government of Manipur will be held in the first week of January next year.
Notably, the latest extension of SoO pact with UPF and KNO, another umbrella body of Kuki UG groups expired on November 22 last.
12 days after expiry of the SoO pact, officials of the Ministry of Home Affairs and officials of the State Home Department held separate talks with leaders of UPF and KNO at Delhi on December 5 last.
The UPF agreed to extend SoO pact by one more year and also to initiate a political dialogue.
However, KNO demanded a written assurance from the Government side to initiate political dialogue before extending the SoO pact.
As such, the pact with the KNO remains undecided till date.
In view of the first round of political dialogue likely to be held in the first week of January, a consultative meeting between UPF leaders and leaders of Kuki civil society organisations was held today at Hotel Classic here.
The meeting was attended by representatives of 40 different Kuki civil society organisations including Zoumi Council, Hmar Inpui, Kuki Inpi Manipur, Kuki People's Forum, All Tribal Chiefs' Association Manipur, Zomi Students' Federation and KSO Ghqs.
Ahead of the first round of the scheduled political dialogue, ground modalities of the political dialogue would be chalked out together with officials of the Ministry of Home Affairs and the State Home Department, Arron Kipgen said.
The three hour long threadbare discussion held today at Hotel Classic ahead of the political dialogue has many implications and significance, conveyed Arron Kipgen as stated by UPF representative K Guite.