Tripartite talk on AA taken to political level
Naga leaders upbeat, Govt tightlipped
Source: The Sangai Express

Senapati, February 06 2014: The United Naga Council (UNC) has stated that the seventh tripartite talk held today focusing on its primary agenda- Alternative Arrangement (AA) for the Nagas in Manipur outside the State Government and pending a final settlement to the ongoing negotiations between the NSCN (IM) and the Government of India - was cordial and positive though the Government representatives were tightlipped on the issue.

Taking into account what it termed as "positive outcome" of the discourse, the UNC has decided to do away with the civil actions that have been lined up earlier and kept in abeyance in case the talks did not prove positive or the Government reneges on its assurance to hold the talk.

Upgraded to a political level, the talk involving the UNC, the State Government and and the Centre was held at the office complex of the Deputy Commissioner (Senapati) about 61 Kms from Imphal.

The body language of the Govt representatives after the talk says something significant

Unlike the earlier round of talks, wherein representatives of the Government spoke on the talk process, this time representatives of both the State and Central Government refused to comment on the deliberations of today's talk.

Sambhu Singh, Joint Secretary in the Ministry of Home Affairs and North East in-charge who led the Central Government team, gave a one-line answer "Please talk to the UNC not me" .

Considering their body language, State Government representatives- Industries Minister Govindas Konthoujam, Rural Development Minister Francis Ngajokpa, Hills Area Committee Chairman Chaltonlien Amo, MLA N Biren, Chief Secretary PC Lawmkunga and Principal Secretary (Home) Suresh Babu avoided all media queries.

On the other hand, UNC general secretary Gaidon Kamei was forthright in stating that "Today's dialogue was cordial and all parties discussed the issue at the political level.

Any developments on the talks would be known later" .

Paul Leo, chairman of the committee for AA said that the upgradation of the talks to the political level was a positive development as the issue was directly discussed at this level.

The ten member UNC team was led by its present L Adani, while some top military officers were also part of the Central team.

The talk began at about 12.21 pm and lasted about an hour.

The UNC, in a statement, said Thursday's talk concluded on a positive note with an agreement to take the talk process towards a political reality.

"In view of this positive outcome and as per the discussion with tribe presidents on conclusion of the talk, it has been decided that the lineup of civil actions kept in abeyance has been shelved for the moment," it said.

The UNC acknowledged the Naga tribe presidents, the public of Senapati town and surrounding villages and the pastors under Senapati Karong Area Baptist Union (SKABU) for their prayers and valuable support.

"We are also thankful for the overwhelming solidarity and participation of the people from all across which strengthened our movement for securing our political aspirations," said the statement.