Code of conduct comes in the way of HLC formation
Source: The Sangai Express / Newmai News Network

Dimapur, March 05 2014 : The much hyped formation of 'High Power Committee' or High Level Committee' in connection with the United Naga Council (UNC)'s demand for an 'Alternative Arrangement' for the Nagas of Manipur, pending Indo-Naga settlement, is likely to be delayed, thanks to the Model Code of Conduct of the Lok Sabha polls.

Well placed sources confided to Newmai News Network from New Delhi late this evening that the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) has written to the waiting UNC leaders in the national capital today re-assuring to constitute the Committee on the Alternative Arrangement but the order to this effect was not issued.

The UNC leaders were expecting today the order from the Ministry of Home Affairs for the constituting the Committee on the Alternative Arrangement.

"Though the officials of the Ministry of Home Affairs had not revealed the reason for not issuing the order today, it appears that technical difficulties could have been the factor as the Election Commission of India has announced the schedules of the 16th Lok Sabha polls.

Automatically, the Model Code of Conduct followed," stated the sources.

The sources said the UNC leaders and the officials of the Ministry of Home Affairs held another meeting today in which the latter reiterated its commitment to constitute a committee to study the demand on the Alternative Arrangement.

It looks now that the order to constitute the Commmittee will be issued after the 16th Lok Sabha poll processes are over in May.

Interestingly, the UNC leaders had returned to Manipur from Delhi on February 21 after meeting the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) officials on the 'Alternative Arrangement' issue.

The Naga leaders had a held series of meetings then with the MHA officials in the national capital following which the Government of India had decided to set up a 'high power committee' (HPC) .

After halting three days at Senapati to consult with the Naga tribe leaders, the UNC leaders rushed back to New Delhi for the 'joint exercise' with the Ministry of Home Affairs.

It is worth recalling here that on February 6, for the first time, the talks on the 'Alternative Arrangement' for the Nagas of Manipur was held at a 'political level' in Senapati district headquarter involving the Government of India, the Government of Manipur ( represented by Manipur cabinet ministers) and the United Naga Council (UNC).

That day's development was significant because the previous six rounds were mere meeteings of UNC leaders with the bureaucrats for which reason the Naga body had fumed.

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