Our Correspondent
IMPHAL, SEPTEMBER 10
RN Ravi, the government of India’s interlocutor to the Indo-Naga talks, arrived in Imphal on a 2-day visit to Manipur to hold consultations with the state’s civil organizations in connection with the peace accord signed between centre and NSCN (IM) on August 3 last.
Soon after his arrival at the Imphal International airport around 11.45am, Ravi drove straight to Classic Hotel in Imphal and held a meeting with a delegation of the United Naga Council (UNC) led by tis president, Gaidon Kamei. The UNC team also submitted a memorandum to Ravi during the meeting which lasted for more than half an hour.
Later, Ravi had a closed door meeting with the Chief Minister of Manipur, Okram Ibobi Singh at the latter’s official chamber in Imphal from 2 pm onwards. However what has been discussed during the hour-long meeting was not known immediately.Afterwards Ravi had a meeting with a combined team of All Manipur United Clubs Organization (AMUCO), United Committee Manipur (UCM) and Committee on Civil Society Kangleipak for more than an hour. The AMUCO team was headed by its president, Y Mani Khuman while UCM team was led by its president, Johnson Elangbam.
Some members of International Meitei Forum also had a meeting with the visiting interlocutor. On Friday, he is expected to hold closed door meetings again with some organizations including college teachers prior to his departure around 3.30 in the afternoon.
Earlier, while speaking to reporters on his arrival at the Imphal airport, Ravi said that he will consult and incorporate everyone’s view “to make it comprehensive.”
Protest against Ravi
There was a strong protest against Naga peace talk interlocutor RN Ravi in Imphal today. RN Ravi arrived in Imphal this morning in a two-day visit to the state. As he proceeded towards Imphal from the airport large number of people came out at Keishampat area and stopped his vehicle. The protestors held placards that read “Go back RN Ravi,” We don’t welcome you in Manipur,” Don’t come back again RN Ravi”. However, police dispersed the protestors.
Again, at around 3:30 pm as RN Ravi was heading to Classic Hotel in Imphal to meet the Manipur civil society organizations, women folk from Imphal market (Khwairamband Keithel) came out in large number and attempted to block him from proceeding. In that incident too, the police foiled.
