Political dialogue begins with SoO signatory
Source: The Sangai Express

Imphal, January 03 2013: The first round of political dialogue between Government of India, Government of Manipur and United People's Front (UPF) has kick-started today at 1 st Bn Manipur Rifles complex here.

While the Government of India was represented by Ministry of Home Affairs, Joint Secretary (North East in-charge) Shambhu Singh, the State Government was represented by Principal Secretary (Home) Suresh Babu, ADGP LM Khaute and CID SP Achin, said UPF convenor Arron Kipgen.

The UPF delegation was led by the convenor himself.

At the very outset, Shambhu Singh briefed the UPF delegates on several measures taken up by the Government to initiate the dialogue process.

The first round of the political dialogue deliberated on the feasibility of creating an autonomous hill State within the political boundary of Manipur.

The second agenda of the meeting was chalking out a ground modality for the dialogue process.

The UPF delegates and the Government of India also agreed on appointing an interlocutor for necessary communication between the two sides.

The UPF further appreciated the Government's initiative to find a solution to the political issue concerning the hill people of Manipur, Arron Kipgen conveyed.

Meanwhile, sources informed that the Government has agreed to appoint an interlocutor for initiating political dialogue with UPF and KNO.

After attending a special meeting of SoO at 1st MR banquet hall today, MHA North East in-charge Shambhu Singh stated that due process has been already initiated for starting political dialogue with UPF and KNO.

Political dialogue would be put into motion once the interlocutor is appointed.

Moreover, ground modality for the dialogue process would be worked out soon.

The Government officials asked both KNO and UPF to come to terms with the extension of SoO pact.

While the UPF had agreed to the extension of the SoO pact during a meeting held at Delhi some time back, the KNO had turned down the extension proposal, demanding a political dialogue.

The demand of the KNO is a separate State for the Kukis under the Constitution of India and the KSDC had released a map of the proposed Kuki State.

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