SENAPATI, July 1 � Manipur Chief Secretary DS Poonia on Thursday reiterated that the territorial integrity of Manipur was not negotiable. The Manipur Government delegation�s stand was reiterated during the third round of tripartite talks with the United Naga Council (UNC) and the Centre held on Thursday at Senapati district headquarter, 60 km north of the State capital, to break the deadlock over the prevailing situation in Manipur.
Thursday�s talks mainly focused on the UNC�s memorandum to the Prime Minister on September last year demanding an �alternative arrangement� for the Nagas in the State. Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) Secretary (Internal Security) UK Bansal led a three member Central Government delegation at the talks.
Speaking to the media soon after the talks, the Chief Secretary said, �Necessary things have been done from the State Government side to address the issues (grievances of hill people) by constituting ADCs (autonomous district councils).�
He, however, hinted that the government is taking up whatever they can for the development of the hill areas. However, Sword Vashum, Chairman of the Committee for Alternative Arrangement (CAA) did not agree to the proposal. CAA chairman also said it was not a fruitful dialogue as there was no definite conclusion.
�We have not been able to arrive at any definite conclusion �we are not asking anything unconstitutional�, Vashum said. Later, L Ibobi Singh, under secretary of the State Home department said the government representatives reiterated that the territorial integrity of Manipur was not open for discussion,it added. This stand was endorsed by the MHA officers.
