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�Alert meetings� held in Manipur over Naga talks

By Correspondent

IMPHAL, Nov 10 - Braving the nonstop drizzle, �alert meetings� were held at different places in Manipur today seeking protection of the State�s interests and territorial integrity in view of the talks between the Centre and Naga groups.

The protesters want that the Naga agreement should not affect the territorial integrity of Manipur in any manner.

The �alert meetings� were held during the day while �alert marches� were taken out in the evening in many localities under the initiative of the Coordinating Committee on Integrity of Manipur (Cocomi), a newly formed joint body of major civil society organisations in the State.

Today, �alert meetings� were held at Keishampat Leimajam Leikai, Keishamthong Top Leirak Machin, Laisom Leirak, Chingamakha and Sagolband in Imphal West district, Kangla Sangomsang in Imphal East district, Yairipok in Thoubal district, Pangaltabi in Kakching and Nambol in Bishnupur district.

There have been reports about women taking out �alert marches� at many places today as well as yesterday.

Women vendors of Imphal�s �Ima Keithels� (mothers� markets) had also taken out an �alert march� in Imphal recently.

Meanwhile, Congress MLA AK Mirabai, who participated in the �alert meetings� and �alert marches� at several localities in her Patsoi constituency in Imphal West district, reiterated the Congress party�s demand for a special session of the Manipur Assembly to discuss the present situation in the State arising out of the Naga peace talks and also to take a decision to safeguard the interests of the State. Another Congress MLA Kh Joykishan also shared similar sentiments.

On Friday, the Manipur Pradesh Congress Committee leaders had demanded a special session of the State Assembly to discuss the current situation.

Many people, who took part in the �alert meetings�, felt that non-disclosure of the details of the framework agreement signed between the Centre and NSCN-IM in 2015 has created doubt in the minds of people in Manipur.

The Naga peace talks between the Centre and the NSCN (IM) and latter�s demand for integration of Naga-inhabited areas has been a cause of concern in Manipur.

The Central government, however, released a statement recently dispelling rumours of a breakthrough in talks and stated that any settlement with the Naga groups would be reached only after consultations with all stakeholders.

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