New Delhi, May 15 2010: Home Minister P Chidambaram said he was surprised and disappointed by BJP's statement alleging that his unilateral decision to allow NSCN-IM leader Th Muivah to visit Manipur had created tension there.

The minister said he had met a BJP delegation led by Prakash Javadekar yesterday in connection with the situation in Manipur.

Expressing "surprise and disappointment" at the BJP's demand, Chidambaram said that the central government consulted Manipur Chief Minister O Ibobi on the proposed visit of National Socialist Council of Nagaland-Isak-Muivah general secrertary Muivah to his native village Somdal in the state's Ukhrul district.

Referring to this, Chidambaram said: "The immediate problem is to ensure that the national highways are open and supplies of goods reach every district of Manipur.

The union government is addressing this problem in coordination with the state governments concerned.

At this stage, all sections of the people, especially the political parties, should support the government in its efforts" .

An indefinite economic blockade for the past one and half months enforced by various Naga tribal groups to protest the Manipur government's decision not to allow separatist leader Thuingaleng Muivah to visit his birthplace has literally brought the state to a halt.

The Manipur Government has banned the entry of Muivah in the state where he has planned to visit his ancestral place, Somdal, contending that it will create a law and order problem and might disturb the peace in Manipur.

The chief minister of Manipur was requested to come to Delhi and he did so on May 6, 2010.The finance minister, the defence minister and I held talks with the Manipur chief minister, who, however, after his return to Imphal, reiterated the stand that Muivah's visit to Somdal could not be allowed at this stage," Chidambaram said.

Seeking "to set the record straight", Chidambaram said the BJP's Rajya Sabha member Prakash Javadekar had led a delegation to meet him Friday in connection with the situation in Manipur.

"After hearing the delegation, I explained in detail the developments in the past week.

The delegation thanked me for the patient hearing and for the briefing on the developments in Manipur and urged me and the union government to continue to deal with the situation with tact and understanding," the home minister said.

"The delegation expressed satisfaction at the conclusion of the meeting," chidambaram said, adding: "I am, therefore, surprised and disappointed by Javadekar's statement".

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