UNC leaders back, Gaidon keeps mum on Delhi talk
Source: The Sangai Express

Imphal, February 04 2017: United Naga Council (UNC) president and information secretary who were taken to Delhi with permission from the Court to participate in the tripartite talk between the council, Government of India and Government of Manipur held in the National capital yesterday were brought back to Imphal today afternoon.

UNC president Gaidon Kamei and information secretary Sangkhel Stephen who are under judicial custodywere brought to Imphal Tulihal International Airport in an Indian Airlines flight at around 1.30 pm.

The two leaders of the apex body of Nagas were accompanied by two officials of Imphal Central Jail.

Upon his arrival, Gaidon Kamei was asked by media persons to give details of the tripartite talk which he declined to do so.

UNC leaders back, Gaidon keeps mum on Delhi talk

He however simply said that he did not want to comment on the tripartite talk at the moment.

He also said "lets wait for a new development to take place." Soon after the arival, both the UNC leaders were taken to Imphal Central Jail in a hurried manner.

Imphal West commando personnel were deployed at the airport complex as a security measure to foil any unwanted incident.

Two Government officials namely Additional Chief Secretary Dr J Suresh Babu and K Radhakumar, Commissioner (Works) who represented the State Government in the tripartite talk also returned to Imphal from Delhi in different flights.

On the other hand, Additional Chief Secretary (Home), Dr Suresh Babu has expressed hope that the ongoing economic blockade imposed by the United Naga Council (UNC) would be lifted soon, repoorts Newmai News Network.

The first round of meeting between the Centre, Manipur Government and UNC ended on a 'positive note', according to Dr Suresh Babu.

"We hope that the blockade will end in the next few days' time," he said while informing that there will be a 'meeting' on February 7 .

Responding to media queries, the Manipur Additional Chief Secretary said that the creation of districts was raised by the UNC side during the meeting but "we told them that the issue should be deferred for the time being.

"We told them that for the time being, the priority should be given to the blockade.

The people have suffered a lot," Dr Suresh Babu said.

He also said that the UNC representatives were strongly urged to lift the economic blockade.

When media persons sought comments from UNC leader Gaidon Kamei on the first round of meeting, he simply said, "Let's wait for the new development" .

The Naga organization launched the blockade from November 1, 2016 after the Manipur Government planned to grant full-fledged district status to Sadar Hills and Jiribam subdivisions.

But later the State Government created seven new districts leading the UNC to intensify the stir.