Imphal, December 03 2010: The tripartite talks between the Centre, Manipur government and UNC aimed at bringing an end to the impasse between the state government and UNC was held Friday at Senapati district headquarters.

Showing solidarity to the UNC, a rally was also taken out in Ukhrul district where people in their thousands took part.

A mass fasting prayer was also held at Tamenglong district headquarters, official sources said.

The tripartite talks mainly focused on the memorandum submitted to the Prime Minister at New Delhi on September 14 by the UNC for an "alternative arrangement for Nagas" .

From the Central government's side, three officials, secretary (internal security), VK Bansal of the Union Home Ministry, joint secretary (NE in-charge), Sambhu Singh and DoNER director Asholi Chalai, attended the meeting in which Manipur government was represented by an official team led by chief secretary DS Poonia.

State home commissioner, Vumlhunmang, principal secretary of Tribal Development, LP Golmei and DC, Senapati were the state officials who assisted the chief secretary in the talks.

Seven leaders of UNC, Somi Keishing, Mani Charenamei (ex-MP), N Adani, Kho John, M Dilli, Ashingpao Golmei and Sword Vashum (Samson Remei) attended the talks which started at 11 am and concluded at 2 pm.

The talks were held in a peaceful atmosphere and progress was reported even though no agreement was reached.

It was jointly decided to hold another round of talks for which the date would be fixed later, officials said.

UNC while asserting that the talks was mostly concentrated into the demand which the body mentioned in the memorandum submitted to the Prime Minister on September 14 of this year reiterated its demand.

UNC leadership were not happy over the absence of three cabinet ministers-Tourism Minister TN Haokip, Sports Minister N Biren and Tribal development minister DD Thaisii during the day's meeting.

CFAA chairman Sword Vashum hinted this while interacting with the media soon after the meeting in the hill station.

The Tangkhul leader said that they've been able to make the central officials understand their demand of an alternative arrangement for Nagas.

When asked, he said they are looking an alternative arrangement may be in the form of 'union territory' or 'state' as per the constitution of the country.

However it is premature to disclose details the leader felt.

Former Lok Sabha MP Mani Charenamei who was part of the UNC delegation,sharing a similar sentiment clarified that they're not setting any deadline.

"We'll continue the dialogue",he said."Its a good beginning" .

Secretary (internal security) UK Bansal of MHA said,"We've tried to understand each other's point of view on what is the alternative arrangement because alternative arrangement is just not just words.

It has lots of meaning and some points have come up and we are carrying back those for further discussion and hopefully in the next meeting we'll be able to make some views clear" .

"I'm hopeful that continuation of this kind of interaction will lead to extremely positive development for the people", he added.

The date for the next round of meeting has not been fixed but the official is sure of fixing it soon.

Mention may be made that on July 1 of this year, Nagas in the present State of Manipur resolved through its highest decision making forum, the Naga Peoples' Convention (NPC), that Nagas will sever all political ties with the 'communal' Government of Manipur (GoM) and urged the GoI to make an alternative arrangement to fill the vacuum in governance and administration in consultation with the Naga people at the earliest possible time.

They also declared that the imposed Autonomous District Councils' election as "null & void" and that under no circumstances shall the district councils be allowed to function in the Naga areas.

This drastic decision was taken alleging that it will be impossible for the Nagas to protect their right to life, land, time-honoured institutions, customary practices and values under the administration of the GoM.

After the Central and state officials returned to Imphal, the fallout of the talks was discussed in a meeting held at the banquet hall of 1st Manipur Rifles, Imphal.

The meeting started at 4.30 pm and went on till late evening.

Meanwhile thousands of people took out a rally in Ukhrul district today showing solidarity to the tripartite talks.

The rally started from Namreithang and concluded at Tangkhul Ngana Long ground.

A mass fasting prayer was held at the town hall in Tamenglong district in solidarity to the UNC demand.

The event was organized by Zeliangrong bodies.

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