Talks with JACAATB likely next week
Source: The Sangai Express

CCpur, March 24 2017: As the BJP led coalition has invited the JACAATB for talks to find a solution to the nearly two years of movement against the 'anti-tribal' Bills, the two sides are likely to meet sometime next week after the JAC's public consultation scheduled for Tuesday.

The N Biren Singh Government had on Thursday invited the JACAATB for talks 'to discuss and bring a solution to the on-going impasse' .

The invitation signed by Dr J Suresh Babu, Additional Chief Secretary (Home) is for tomorrow (Saturday) but the JACAATB has sought more time for consultation with the public before it meets the Chief Minister to try and find a solution.

Responding to the Government's invitation, the JACAATB chief convenor H Mangchinkhup today wrote to the Additional Chief Secretary and conveyed their appreciation on the interest shown by the new Government to bring about an amicable solution to the 571 days old agitation in the hills.

However, it maintained that the JAC will be able to hold talks only after the series of consultations it has initiated to arrive at a consensus wind up.

'The JAC is committed to wrapping up the series of consultations to arrive at a consensus at the earliest, and will inform you once we are done so that we can proceed with the meeting to bring about a cordial solution to the current impasse,' it added.

The JAC convenor was confident of the talk materializing some other day and maintained that their skipping the meeting tomorrow is not a snub to the Government's invitation.

'The previous Government refused to invite the JAC for talks but the new Government has opted otherwise.

It will be appropriate to talk with them and discuss our concerns and issues to find a solution,' he said.

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