In a democracy, all stakeholders need to be involved : Shambhu
Source: The Sangai Express / Ninglun Hanghal

New Delhi, December 10 2013: Violence has considerably come down in Manipur, while there are many issues that need to be addressed, said the Joint Secretary (NE), MHA, Shambhu Singh who returned to office after a two-day visit to Manipur.

Replying to a query on the progress of NSCN (IM)-Govt peace talks, Shambhu Singh informed The Sangai Express today afternoon that several issues are being discussed and specific points have also been raised in the ongoing dialogue with NSCN (IM) .

On the long drawn process, with the NSCN (IM) already submitting its charter of demands two years ago in July 2011, Singh reiterated that the process requires the involvement of all stakeholders, emphasising that this is a must in a democratic system.

Muivah

This, the Joint Secretary said, is in fact a time consuming process.

"In such a situation two years should not be taken as a very long period," Shambhu Singh told this correspondent.

It may be mentioned that the demand for sovereignty have been ruled out by both the ULFA and the NSCN (IM).

In the case of the NSCN (IM)'s demand, the final negotiations or process involve the States of Arunachal Pradesh and Assam besides Manipur.

The charter of demands submitted by the NSCN (IM) is with the Home Ministry and it will be further placed before the State Governments of Assam , Arunachal Pradesh and Manipur before the final negotiations are being drawn, he said.

The process to involve the three important States of Assam, Arunachal Pradesh and Manipur which have a great stake in the peace process is an initiative taken up by the Centre, he said.

It may be recalled that last month, the NSCN (IM) resumed their dialogue with the Centre's Interlocutor RS Pandey in New Delhi.

While the Interlocutor had said that no major negotiation that took place, the dialogue was reported to have resumed again.

Significantly, while the pro-talk group of the ULFA came to the negotiating table much later than the NSCN (IM), Shambhu Singh had earlier informed The Sangai Express that a final settlement with the ULFA may be inked soon.