Newmai News Network
SENAPATI, July 2
[dropcap]T[/dropcap]he United Naga Council (UNC) is all set to begin its series of meetings and consultation programmes in Senapati town from tomorrow.
Sources said the UNC meet involving all the Naga tribe presidents and tribe body executives will also dwell on “land issues” in Manipur. However, the main theme will be the ‘Alternative Arrangement’ demanded by the Nagas of Manipur under the aegis of the UNC outside the government of Manipur. The sources also said on July 5 a serious consultation will be there on issues and the next course of action to press for the UNC demands.
Earlier, the UNC had decided to convene a high power meeting on June 21 at Senapati district headquarters but postponed due to what the UNC called it ‘unevitable.’
On May 6 at Mso Gate, UNC president L Adani had said that the Government of India would place a “special committee” or high level committee to examine the ‘Alternative Arrangement’ for the Nagas of Manipur after the 16th Lok Sabha election process got over.“The Government of India must exercise its political will and commitment to bring this process to its logical conclusion. We will continue to vigilantly engage with it and with sincerity, seriousness and in good faith in the democratic process of dialogue,” L Adani had stated. He then strongly urged the Naga people to believe in the position that “we have taken as a people at this crucial phase of history.”
It can be recalled here that on February 6, the United Naga Council (UNC)’s demand for the ‘Alternative Arrangement’ for the Nagas of Manipur was elevated to a ‘political level’.
The 7th round ‘tripartite talks’ involving the Government of India, the Government of Manipur and the United Naga Council (UNC) was held at Senapati on February 6, 2014.
That day’s development was significant because the previous six rounds were mere meetings of UNC leaders with the bureaucrats for which reason the Naga body was fuming.
The UNC had expressed then that the February 6 talk was a cordial one although no concrete decision was arrived at.
Regarding the February 6 talks, Shambhu Singh, Home Secretary (NE- in Charge), Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) led the Government of India’s delegation. The ministerial team of the Manipur Government was led by Govindas Konthoujam, Industries minister. Francis Ngajokpa, minister Rural Development and Panchayati Raj and N. Biren, MLA.
