MHA issues written assurance ; KSDC suspends proposed boycott, public blockade
issues new Kuki map
Source: The Sangai Express

Imphal, December 13 2012: One week after representatives of the Kuki National Organisation returned to base from Delhi, after the Centre failed to respond to their demand for a written assurance that a political dialogue under the SoO pact would be initiated, the Ministry of Home Affairs has issued a written assurance today.

With the Centre issuing the written assurance, the Kuki State Demand Committee has decided to suspend the public blockade and the boycott of the ASEAN-India Car Rally, which was scheduled to come into force from the evening of December 14 .

In a statement issued to the press in the evening today, KSDC said that they have decided to 'abandon our plan to blockade the ASEAN Car Rally, intended to start from 5 pm of December 14' .

Zale'ngam-The Kuki State

Urging the State Government to co-operate (as the KSDC has done on this occasion), instead of raising hurdles, such as the 'territorial integrity of Manipur', the KSDC said that the proposed political dialogue must be held in a mature and meaningful dialogue.

Transparency, plus exploration of all avenues and options, albeit within the Constitution of India, must be the premise for the dialogue to arrive at an amicable solution, said the KSDC.

A new Kuki map has also been issued by the KSDC today.

Earlier in the day while sddressing the media, Deputy Chief Minister Gaikhangam said that Under Secretary in the Ministry of Home Affairs (NE in charge), MP Singh sent the written assurance to Chief Secretary DS Poonia today morning.

The official intimation has been handed over to Additional DGP LM Khaute and the same has been forwarded to the Kuki State Demand Committee and the Kuki National Organisation.

The written intimation from the Centre said that an appropriate officer from the MHA would be deputed to Manipur after the Winter session of the Parliament to work out the modalities for the political dialogue with the SoO group, said Gaikhangam.

"Now that the Centre has given the written assurance, we hope the KSDC would call off the proposed boycott of the ASEAN-India Car Rally," said Gaikhangam and reiterated the appeal to call off the planned agitation.

Significantly the written assurance from the Union Home Ministry has come after the Kuki State Demand Committee announced that it would boycott the ASEAN-India Car Rally, which is scheduled to enter Moreh on December 15 .

Along with the 'boycott announcement' the KSDC had also decided to reimpose the public blockade in Kuki inhabited areas from the evening of December 14 .

On being contacted, LM Khaute informed The Sangai Express that the Union Home Ministry has sent a written missive to the State Government that an official, of appropriate rank and seniority, would be deputed to Manipur to discuss the start of a political dialogue with the SoO signatories after the Winter session of Parliament.

Copies of the written missive have already been officially sent to the KSDC and the KNO, he said and added that the two organisations have convened a meeting on receiving the official intimation.

Khaute said that the proposed public blockade as well as the boycott of the ASEAN-India car rally are likely to be called off anytime now.