Decks cleared for talk with UNC on Alternative Arrangement in February
Ex-IB chief to lead dialogue with Kuki groups under SoO
Source: The Sangai Express
Imphal, January 30 2013:
Former Intelligence Bureau (IB) director PC Haldar will lead the Central team in the upcoming political dialogues between the Centre and Kuki underground groups even as the stage is set for the Central and state Government representatives to begin talks with the united Naga Council (UNC).
According to an informed source, consensus has been arrived at between the Central Government and the two umbrella organisations of Kuki UG groups namely United people's Front (UPF) and Kuki National Organisation on the appointment of PC Haldar as the interlocutor for the upcoming political dialogue.
As a formality, appointment of Haldar as the interlocutor would be placed by the Union Home Ministry before the Cabinet Committee on Security.
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It is pertinent to note that public blockades were enforced in recent times by the Kuki State Demand Committee in pursuit of its demand for a political dialogue with Kuki SoO groups.
Following assurance by the State authorities that the issue would be placed before the Centre, the Committee consequently decided to suspend its agitation.
Another source revealed that Government of Manipur is clearing the decks to facilitate talks between the State and Central Government representatives with UNC leaders with regard to the latter's demand for an Alternative Arrangement, pending a settlement to the Naga issue, for Nagas outside the State Government's ambit.
In all probability the fifth round of talk with the UNC delegates will begin next month (February), said the source.
Pointing out that the UNC in a recent memorandum submitted to the Prime Minister had urged for necessary arrangement to initiate political dialogue within February 17, the source explained that the forthcoming talks would be of official nature and not political.
So far four round of tripartite talks have been held on the said demand.