Imphal, May 13: The United Committee Manipur (UCM) today welcomed the invitation by the Kohima-based Co-ordination Committee of Naga Civil Society for talks on the crisis arising out of NSCN (I-M) general secretary Thuingaleng Muivah’s proposed visit to Manipur.
In an open letter published in an Imphal-based newspaper yesterday, the committee’s convenor, Neingulo Krome, appealed to both UCM and All
Manipur United Clubs’ Organisation (AMUCO) for holding talks to find an amicable solution to the unrest in the wake of Muivah’s plan to visit the state.
The Naga committee had, in the invitation, requested the UCM and AMUCO leaders to come to Guwahati today for the meet.
“We welcome the invitation for talks as it aims at maintaining peace and harmony among communities in Manipur and Nagaland. But we could not go to Guwahati today because of time constraint and short notice,” UCM president Yumnamcha Dilipkumar told The Telegraph today.
The UCM leaders today met to discuss the invitation by the Naga committee.
“We will send an acknowledgement to the convenor of the Naga co-ordinating committee. We are also trying to establish contacts with the convenor of the Naga body to fix dates for and venue of talks,” Dilipkumar said.
The UCM leaders also held discussions today with functionaries of the AMUCO. The Manipur organisation has expressed its willingness to accept the invitation.
Union home minister P. Chidambaram on May 11 rushed home secretary G.K. Pillai and interlocutor R.S. Pandey to Manipur and Nagaland for a meeting with the chief ministers of both the states as well as Muivah, to defuse tension. The central officials, however, could not break any ice as the Manipur government and Muivah remained firm on their respective stands.
The talks offer came even as the crisis arising out of the shortage of essential commodities deepened further.
A four-member central BJP team today assessed the situation in Manipur by meeting leaders of civil society bodies and government employees here and demanded that the Centre should withdraw the permission given to Muivah to visit Manipur.
Chief minister Okram Ibobi Singh appealed to the people to remain calm and assured that the government would take steps to normalise the situation.
