UNC's AA demand elevated to 'political level'
Source: Hueiyen News Service / NNN

Senapati, February 06 2014: United Naga Council (UNC)'s demand for 'Alternative Arrangement' for the Nagas of Manipur has been elevated to a 'political level' and the Naga leaders have expressed their happiness on the development.

The 7th round of 'tripartite talks' involving the Government of India, the Government of Manipur and the United Naga Council (UNC) was held at the DRDA Conference hall, Senapati here today.

Today's development was significant because the previous six rounds were mere meetings of UNC leaders with the bureaucrats for which reason the Naga body has been fuming.

The talks were on the matter of the Alternative Arrangement for the Manipur Nagas, Gaidon Kamei, General Secretary of UNC stated.

UNC's AA demand elevated to 'political level'

The talk was a cordial one although no concrete decision was arrived at.

The public would be informed when any developments come up on the issue, he assured.

Later in a press briefing after the talk, Chairman of 'Alternative Arrangement Demand Committee' for the Manipur Nagas, Paul Leo, who is also the former UNC chief, remarked that the arrival of the Ministerial team was in itself a positive sign of development and a step forward in the right direction.

"In previous talks, bureaucrats were the main participants and thus they were unable to take definite decisions on the Alternative Arrangement issue which is a political one", he observed.

The discussion about the arrangement would now be between the Union Ministry and State Government as all documents have been submitted to the Ministers concerned.

Today's talks ended after two hours on the request of the Home Secretary due to an urgent situation on the Assam- Arunachal border.

The Central and state government delegates declined to comment on the outcome of the talks.

Shambhu Singh, Home Secretary (NE- in Charge), Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) led the delegation of Government of India while the Ministerial team of the Manipur Government was led by Govindas Konthoujam, who is the Minister of Commerce and Industries.

Francis Ngajokpa, Minister of Rural Development and Panchayati Raj and N.Biren, MLA of Heingang A/C also took part in today's talks.

Meanwhile, in a press communiqu�, UNC said that the 7th round of tripartite talk of the Government of Manipur (GoM), Government of India (GoI) and the United Naga Council (UNC) on the demand for alternative arrangement outside the GoM held at Senapati today concluded on a positive note with an agreement to take the talk process towards political reality.

In view of this positive outcome and as per the discussion with Tribe Presidents at the conclusion of the talk, it has been decided that the line up of civil actions kept in abeyance be shelved for the moment, according to a statement issued by its Publicity Wing.

UNC also 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 strengthens our movement for securing our political aspirations", the UNC statement added.