IMPHAL, March 9 - The ninth round of tripartite talks involving the Centre, the Manipur Government and the United Naga Council (UNC) was held today at Senapati, 60 km from here, to resolve the issue of creation of new districts in the State.
UNC president S Kho John and secretary S Milan attended the talks. Three Manipur ministers V Hangkhalian, N Kayisii and Th Radheshyam, besides two senior officials, represented the State Government.
The Joint Secretary (in charge of the North East) in the Union Ministry of Home Affairs, Satyendra Garg, represented the Government of India in the talks which were aimed at finding an amicable solution to the issue of creation of seven new districts in the State by the previous Government in December, 2016.
The UNC had protested the creation of the new districts, particularly Kangpokpi and Jiribam. They had even imposed an economic blockade on all national highways passing through Manipur for more than 100 days. However, the agitation was withdrawn following an understanding with the new BJP-led coalition Government which came to power in March, 2017.
In the talks today, the State Government regretted its inability to bring in a concrete proposal to resolve the issue at hand. The State Government proposed that the next round of talks be held in July end.
Disagreeing, the UNC stated that the UNC would go back to the Naga people, sources said. After consultations, the UNC will communicate its decision to the Government of India.
