Talks held, parties hopeful of solution
Source: The Sangai Express

Imphal, October 31 2009: In a significant development towards resolving the protracted impasse resulting from the July 23 Khwairamband killing, talks were held between the Chief Minister and functionaries of the Apunba Lup and other organisations co-ordinating with the Lup today.

The meeting held at the Chief Minister's Secretariat lasted for more than three hours.

The road to negotiation between the two sides was opened after the Imphal West SP, Additional SP and the OC of City police station were transferred away following several rounds of talk with the Senior Citizens For Society.

Senior ctizens coming out from the CM's residence after a talk

Talking to media persons after the meeting, secretary of the Senior Citizens for Society Khaidem Mani said that talks held today were very positive.

He said that there would be another round of talk.

On being asked whether any date has been fixed for the next round of talk, Mani conveyed that they (organisations) were asking for a day's time.

No definite date has been fixed as yet, he added.

On the other hand, addressing a press meet at Manipur Press Club here this afternoon, Apunba Lup coordinator Phulindro Konsam said that the Government has agreed to fulfil some of the demands made by civil organisations.

He said that further negotiations would be held soon.

Today's meeting was participated 14 representatives of the Apunba Lup, AMSU, MSF, KSA and JACs of Rabina and Sanjit, three representatives from the side of Senior Citizens for Society while the Government was represented by the Chief Minister, Ministers and officials.

In response to an appeal of the Senior Citizens for Society, the Apunba Lup, the students' organisations and the JACs conveyed their demands to the senior citizens to put forward to the Government.

The two sides came to the negotiating table after the Government transferred the Imphal West SSP, Additional SP and the OC of City PS while the organisations spearheading the movement have formed a steering committee.

The steering committee put up their demands for punishment of the guilty commandos, punishment of police officers taking supervisory roles, resignation of the Chief Minister on moral ground, release of arrested activists including those detained under NSA without any condition, scrapping of Armed Forces (Special Power) Act and putting a halt to acts of state terrorism.

They also sought a concrete assurance from the Government to avert such incidents like July 23 killings in future.

They further demanded return of the files and documents seized by police from civil society organisations as well monetary assistance to those injured in the course of the people's movement.

Saying that the Government has agreed to fulfil some of these demands, Phulindro said that they would be discussing the proceedings of today's meeting with representatives of civil organisations.

He said that the next round of talk would be held very soon.

Meanwhile, a reliable source said that the Government has offered to release those arrested and detained under NSA in connection with the protest movement against the July 23 incident.

On being asked whether the class boycott movement would be called off as negotiations have been initiated, Phulindro said that class boycott would be relaxed if the two sides can strike an agreement.

"As of now, no mode of agitation has been called off", he said.

Convenor of the JAC Against the Killing of Sanjit, Th Anita said that the talk was very positive.

She also exuded confidence that the two sides can work out a solution to the impasse.

In the meantime, ATSUM called on the Chief Minister this evening at about 5 pm and urged for resumption of class and to ensure that normal annual exams are not affected.

The Chief Minister told the ATSUM team that talks have been initiated and that another round of talks would be held soon.