Tripartite talks with UNC inconclusive
Source: Hueiyen News Service

Imphal, June 30 2011: Manipur Chief Secretary DS Poonia led a eight member state delegation participate in the third round of tripartite talks with the United Naga Council (UNC) and the Centre at the Senapati district headquarters today.

In the talks the CS reiterated that the territorial integrity of Manipur was not negotiable.

The talks were held to break the deadlock over the prevailing political situation in Manipur.

Today's talks mainly focused on the UNC's memorandum submitted to the Prime Minister in September last year demanding an 'alternative arrangement' for the Nagas in the state.

In today's talks Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) Secretary (internal security) UK Bansal led a three member central government delegation which attended the 2 hour long talks.

The talks concluded at 12.30 pm today.

Manipur officials' stand in the day's talks came close on the heels of the Chief Minister O Ibobi led Congress government's stand to safeguard the territorial integrity even if they attended the tripartite talks.

Speaking to the media after the talks, state Chief Secretary DS Poonia said, "Necessary things have been done from the state government's side to address the issues (grievances of the hill people) by constituting ADCs (Autonomous District Council)" .

The Chief Secretary hinted that the government is taking up whatever measures they can for the development of the hill areas.

The state authority also proposed to make two separate power point presentations on the development projects and schemes taken up in the state's five hill districts besides offering devolution of powers to the elected six ADCs, he added.

However, Sword Vashum, Chairman of the Committee for Alternative Arrangement(CAA) who led the UNC delegation did not agree to the proposal.

The CAA chairman said the talks were not fruitful as there was no definite conclusion.

"We've not been able to arrive at any definite conclusion � we're not asking anything unconstitutional", Vashum said.

"What we're asking for is what is provided in the constitution and certainly it is not within the domain of the state of Manipur to grant us our demands..." .

The Chairman informed that they analyse what had been discussed in the day's meeting for further course of action.

Later L Ibobi Singh, under secretary, state Home Department in a press release said, MHA representatives could not accept the UNC's further demand for bi-partite talks between the UNC and the Centre.

The state government representatives expressed that the territorial integrity of Manipur was not open for discussion.

This stand was endorsed by the MHA officers.

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