Begin typing your search above and press return to search.

Tripartite talk held to solve Manipur district creation issue

By Correspondent

IMPHAL, May 19 - Tripartite talks involving Centre, Manipur Government and United Naga Council (UNC) to resolve the issue of creation of new districts in the State were held at Senapati, 60 km from here, on Saturday.

UNC president Gaidon Kamei and secretary S Milan led a team of 11 members to the talks. Unlike the last round of talks, only two Manipur Ministers � V Hangkhalian (Agriculture), and Th Radheshyam (Education) besides two senior officials � Principal Secretary (Finance & Health) Vumlunmang Vualnam and Secretary (Revenue) T Ranjit, represented the State Government.

Joint Secretary, Ministry of Home Affairs (in-charge of the North-east), Satyendra Garg, who represented the Government of India, attended the talks which were aimed at finding an amicable solution following the creation of seven new districts in Manipur by the previous Congress Government in December 2016. The newly formed districts are Jiribam, Kangpokpi, Kamjong, Kakching, Noney, Pherzawl and Tengnoupal.

Earlier, the State had only nine districts � Bishnupur, Chandel, Churachandpur, Imphal West, Imphal East, Senapati, Tengnoupal, Thoubal and Ukhrul.

UNC had protested the creation of new districts, particularly Kangpokpi and Jiribam, when O Ibobi Singh was the Chief Minister. They had even imposed economic blockade on all National Highways which pass through Manipur for more than 100 days. However, the agitation was withdrawn following an understanding with the newly-formed BJP-led coalition government which came to power in March 2017.

It was the seventh round. In the day�s talks, the points which were agreed earlier were reviewed and UNC showed strong reaction to non-adherence of some agreed points. They said there was �non-adherence to the four Memorandum of Understanding with Government of Manipur and Government of India�s assurance on the matter.�

�The State Government agreed to prepare concrete proposal in the next round of talks which will be held on July 28 next.

Next Story