Meet held ahead of SoO talk
Source: The Sangai Express

Kangpokpi, August 04 2017: Following the scheduled third round of the tripartite Indo-Kuki political talks at New Delhi on August 9, a Kuki leaders’ consultation meet was held yesterday at KNF designated Camp, Natheljang with United People's Front leaders .

Leaders of Kuki Inpi, KSO- Ghqs, KSO-Sadar Hills, Kuki Women Union, Thadou Inpi- Ghqs, Thadou Inpi Sadar Hills, Thadou Students Association, Sadar Hills and various other philanthropic organization leaders attended the meet while ST Thangboi, president, United People’s Front (UPF) and Aaron Kipgen, spokesperson UPF attended the meet apart from various other UPF leaders .

After two rounds of talk, the Government of India has invited UPF and Kuki National Organization (KNO) for the third round of talks on August 9 at New Delhi .

Significantly, an Interlocutor for the Indo-Kuki political talks is expected to chair the third round of talks after the previous two rounds were held without an Interlocutor chaired by Satyendra Garg, IPS, Joint Secretary, Ministry of Home Affairs.

Earlier in the first round of talks, Satyendra Garg had said "the Government has decided to deal the UPF and KNO issues directly so as to expedite the process of the political dialogue but if need arises with time interlocutor will be appointed and beginning the political dialogue without an interlocutor does not in any way affect the status or dignity of the talk."
Chief Minister N Biren Singh had also officially declared the appointment of an interlocutor during the ongoing Assembly session stating that in order to facilitate the ongoing Suspension of Operations (SoO) agreement with UPF and KNO, the Government has appointed former Intelligence Bureau (IB) Director Dineshwar Sharma as its interlocutor while asserting that the step has been taken to bring an amicable solution within a time frame .

During the leader's consultation meet, leaders of the Kuki Inpi and other Kuki bodies leaders reiterated their endorsement and support to the Indo-Kuki political talks while sharing their thoughts, views in connection with the third round of talks scheduled to be held on August 9 .

It also conveyed the Kuki people's heartiest gratitude to the Government of India and Government of Manipur for the appointment of an interlocutor to facilitate the Indo-Kuki political talks so as to settle the vexed political issue of the Kukis amicably without delay .

While enlightening the Kuki leaders on the Indo-Kuki political talks and the policies of the UPF and KNO, spokesperson of UPF, Aaron Kipgen asserted that as earlier the UPF and KNO will again represent the 23 tribes of the Kukis in the third round of the political talks .

He said that he will lead a 10 member delegate of the UPF to participate in the third round of political talks and leave for the National capital on August 7 while he could not ascertain the numbers of delegates on the part of KNO .

Earlier in the talks, KNO delegates were led by Dr Seilen Haokip, spokesperson of KNO while UPF delegates were led Aaron Kipgen and it is likely, though not confirmed, that Dr Seilen Haokip will again lead the KNO delegates .

Meanwhile, the Kuki bodies held a press conference after the consultation meet at Natheljang Peace Camp and expressed their sincere gratitude to the Governments for appointing an interlocutor to facilitate the Indo- Kuki political talk led by UPF and KNO.

Lamminlun Singsit, general secretary, Kuki Inpi, Kangpokpi district on behalf of the Kuki bodies said, "The Kuki people are seriously pleased and content with appointment of an interlocutor for the Indo-Kuki political talk".

He said the Kuki leaders and the Kuki people of Manipur endorse and support the UPF and KNO in the political talks and pray for success.

Meanwhile, the Kuki Women also conveyed their support and endorsement of the two conglomerates of the Kuki UGs, UPF and KNO in the Indo-Kuki political talks while stating that a mass prayer will organize in all Churches on August 6 Sunday morning worship service in all Kuki dominated areas in Manipur .

The Kuki Women Union Sadar Hills also said that a support banner rally and a mass prayer ceremony will also be organize on August 9 at Kangpokpi DHQs so as to extend support to the UPF and KNO during the third round of political dialogue at the national Capital.

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