State to take up Army's letter with MHA
Source: The Sangai Express

Imphal, January 03 2014 : The army authorities' intimation to the State Government they would not like to house former militants in their camps any longer is being studied between the State Government and the Ministry of Home Affairs, stated Deputy Chief Minister Gaikhangam who is also in-charge of Home Department.

Talking with The Sangai Express at his office this evening, Gaikhangam confirmed that the army authority has been asking the State Government to take back former militants currently accommodated within their camps since sometime back.

But in the absence of separate place of accommodation, the former militants are still housed within army camps.

The matter is being consulted with the Ministry of Home Affairs.

At the same time, the State Government has been carrying on the process of identifying suitable sites where the former militants can be accommodated, Gaikhangam stated.

Responding to a query, He informed that Lok Ayukta may be set up in Manipur ahead of the Lok Sabha election.

On being enquired about the next round of talk with the UNC, Gaikhangam said that the State Cabinet has already discussed the matter and the State Government has put forward certain proposals to the Centre.

But what the State Government proposed/suggested to the Centre cannot be divulged at the moment.

There is no harm in carrying forward the dialogue provided it would not harm interests of the State, the Deputy Chief Minister asserted.

Notably, the Home Ministry has already sought opinion of the State Government with regard to the UNC's insistence to hold the next round of talk at the political level.

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