Naga organisations, spearheaded by the UNC, had raised the demand for an alternative arrangement outside the purview of the state government last year.
The demand came after the Okram Ibobi Singh government prevented NSCN (I-M) leader Th. Muivah from entering Manipur and two students died in a police crackdown on Muivah supporters at Mao Gate in Senapati district last year. The UNC then declared severance of all political ties with the state government.
The first round of talks on the UNC’s demand was held in Delhi in September and the second round at the district headquarters of Senapati in December last year.
“The process of talks is a pre-requisite to find a solution to any problem and to promote peace,” the Congress Working Committee (CWC) member in-charge of Manipur, Luizinho Faleiro, told reporters here today. He was here to attend a one-day Congress conference yesterday. He said the AICC was keen on resolution of the stand-off between the state government and the UNC.
Faleiro’s remark, which comes two days ahead of the third round of talks on an alternative administrative arrangement for Nagas in Manipur, is being seen as an endorsement by the AICC to the home ministry’s decision to initiate the talks.
The ministry has scheduled the third round of talks for June 30 at the district headquarters of Senapati.
Ibobi Singh had ruled out accepting the demand for an alternative administrative arrangement for the Nagas in Manipur.
However, after the Centre persuaded Ibobi Singh to participate in the talks, the state government decided to send an official team, headed by chief secretary D.S. Poonia, to attend the talks in Senapati despite opposition from the United Committee, Manipur, a mass organisation campaigning for safeguarding the state’s boundary.
Commending the Ibobi Singh government for its efforts to bring peace and development in Manipur, Faleiro said the AICC would play a role in restoring peace and normality in the state.
“The Ibobi Singh government’s achievement is impressive and the Congress party is with the chief minister,” he added.
Responding to questions on whether the Congress would continue to share power with the CPI, its ally in the Secular Progressive Front government, after the Assembly elections, Faleiro said it was too early to make any decision.
Ibobi Singh, who was also present at the media conference held at the party office here, said the members in his council of ministers would declare their assets soon.