Imphal, Aug 5 : Manipur’s Secular Progressive Front Government has decided to send a ministerial team to meet the striking Naga leaders and hold talk to settle the ongoing impasse and end the blockade.
Chief Minister O Ibobi chaired a Cabinet meeting last evening which decided to send the ministerial team – comprising Information minister TN Haokip, Government Spokesman and Sports Minister N Biren and Tribal Development Minister DD Thaisii – to hold talks withleaders of United Naga Council (UNC) Manipur and All Naga Students’ Association, Manipur and settled the ongoing impasse.
The ministerial team is planning to visit Senapati district headquarter for the meeting on August 7, sources here said.
However, UNC, which had resumed the economic blockade on Manipur on Wednesday for 20 days despite the Central and State governments’ appeal to call it off in public interest, is not ready to welcome the ministerial team.
“Since the Nagas have severed political ties with the Government of Manipur, the intervention of the Government of India for an alternative arrangement is sought by the Nagas of Manipur,” stated UNC in a press release today. “We, therefore, will not welcome the GoM and their representatives intoNaga areas”.
UNC had earlier refused to attend State Chief Minister’s round table meeting on August 3 on the autonomous district council issue on the ground that their demands were not met. The demand included institution of a judicial inquiry into the May 6 firing at Mao Gate on the Manipur-Nagaland border, killing twoNaga students, demilitarisation of Naga areas, removal of ‘wanted’ tags on Naga leaders and dissolution of the autonomous district councils. They are also demanding an alternative administrative arrangement for the Nagas in Manipur.
Meanwhile, after escorting 48 empty trucks to ferry back fuel, 86 more trucks were escorted to their destination on the second day of the blockade today. Today, 67 trucks, including seven oil tankers, were escorted into the State (via NH 39), Senapati SP Nishit Ujjwal said when contacted. There are also reports of more trucks arriving via NH 53.
Assam Tribune
