State’s interest will not be compromised Gaikhangam UNC gears up for 7th round of talk

Source:

Imphal, January 28 2014: Deputy Chief Minister Gaikhangam has stated that the State Government will not accept any move that goes against the interest of the State interest during the upcoming tripartite talk between the United Naga Council, the State Government and the Centre.

To discuss the Alternative Arrangement for the Nagas of Manipur outside the Government of Manipur pending a final settlement to the Indo-Naga issue, demand raised by the UNC the next round of talk will be held at Senapati district headquarters on February 6 .

During the sixth round of talks held on August 30 last year in New Delhi, it was agreed that the next talk would be upgraded to the political level.

File pic of a rally demanding Alternative Arrangement

In pursuit of its Alternative Arrangement demand the UNC, a conglomerate of several Naga civil bodies of the State, had called launched different forms of agitation including bandh in ‘Naga areas’ and ban on all Central projects.

UNC alleged that the demand has been raised because the Nagas of Manipur cannot live with dignity and honor and protect their rights to life and property, identity, land, resources, traditional institutions and customary practices under the State Government.

Talks for resolving genuine issues are accepted and welcomed, but any move that would compromise the State’s interest in any manner will not be accepted, Gaikhangam , who also holds the Home portfolio, told reporters on Monday evening.

Gaikhangam said that the State Government has written to the Ministry of Home Affairs pertaining to the former’s preparedness for joining the Senapati talks.

He nevertheless declined to divulge who would represent the State Government in the talks.

On the other hand, the UNC has threatened to resume its planned agitation if the outcome of the ensuing talks turns out to be against the collective aspirations of the Naga people.

“We have been struggling to achieve our demand (Alternative Arrangement) pending the Indo-Naga peace process to restore Nagas’ democratic rights, social and political justice.

We will resort to carry out all possible agitation in a democratic manner till our legitimate demand is achieved,” UNC general secretary Gaidon Kamei told this reporter today.

“Welcoming the Centre’s initiative for holding the 7th round of talks at the political level at Senapati, we had kept in abeyance the scheduled civil actions resolved in the last presidential council meeting held on January 16 till the completion of the talk and our stance would be decided depending on its outcome,” he said.

“Though we are yet to finalize the composition of our delegation for joining the talks, it would be led by our president,” the UNC leader further said while talking to this reporter.

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