Imphal | May 17 (NNN) -While appealing the women folk in the Manipur valley to stop imposing counter-blockade, N. Biren, cabinet minister and spokesperson of the Secular Progressive Front (SPF) government on Monday urged the All Naga Students’ Association Manipur (ANSAM) and United Naga Council (UNC) to lift the ongoing blockade and appeal the two agitating Naga bodies to come forward for a talk so that an amicable solution can be brought.
The cabinet minister also informed the media persons during a press conference today that the chief minister of Manipur and Gaikhangam, president of Manipur Pradesh Congress Committee (MPCC) had a meeting with the All Manipur Christian Organisation (AMCO) members regarding the current situation of Manipur. Following the meeting’s deliberation, a team of AMCO comprising of nine members has already left for Kohima, Nagaland to sort out the current impasse with the Christian leaders, civil organization leaders and NGOs of Nagaland, revealed N. Biren.

Inviting for negotiation, the spokesman of the Manipur government said that the door is always open for a talk with the ANSAM and UNC. “Let the Autonomous District Council (ADC) elections get over, then we can sit together and we will re-amend the Act (ADC-Act, 2008) according to their demand,” assured the cabinet minister. At the same time, while assuring the SPF government’s belief of impartiality for all communities of the state, N. Biren also appealed all those people in the Manipur valley who are imposing counter-blockade  to immediately withdraw, saying  ‘all the hill people of Manipur our brothers and sisters'.
The All Naga Students' Association, Manipur (ANSAM) has been imposing blockade along the two national highways leading to Manipur since April 11 in protest against the state government decision to conduct elections to the District Council elections under the Manipur (Hill Areas) District Councils Act of 2008. The Naga organisations demanded that the Act should be amended before holding the elections.

Civil societies concerned  over fate of Nagas in Imphal
Dimapur, May 17 (MExN): A delegation of the Coordination Committee of Naga Civil Society organizations today visited Tahamzam in Senapati in the backdrop of the prevailing situation in the southern Naga areas following the recent killing of 2 Naga students on May 6 at Mao gate by Manipur police commandoes.  The delegation also held consultative meetings with leaders of the UNC, ANSAM, NWUM and senior leaders of the Naga communities and heard reports on the state of affairs.
According to the organization’s convener, some immediate concerns the delegation were acquainted with included the restrictions on the movements of Nagas “who were also reportedly prevented from leaving Imphal valley by mostly Meitei women volunteers, who were also caught in camera stopping vehicles and frisking passengers traveling between Imphal valley and the hills district of Manipur and seizing away valuables and essential commodities.”
“While expressing our deepest concern over the fate of Nagas and other tribal peoples and non-Meiteis living in Imphal valley, especially in the backdrop of the UCM’s threat to declare ‘Peoples Emergency’ from the 21st of May 2010, the Coordination Committee of Naga Civil Society ask the Government of India to prevail over the Government of Manipur if it truly seek to maintain normalcy in the region by giving peace a chance,” the note stated.