The Manipur government and the United Naga Council (UNC) held their first round of talks on Monday, with the meeting described as "fruitful and cordial" and both sides agreeing to continue dialogue on issues raised by the Naga apex body, a government spokesperson said.
The talks were held at the Senapati district headquarters, where a delegation of ministers and MLAs led by Deputy Chief Minister L Dikho and Home Minister Govindas Konthoujam held discussions with UNC representatives.
Government spokesperson Thokchom Radheshyam described the meeting as an "ice breaker" and said further rounds of talks would be held.
"Today, United Naga Council and Manipur government representatives led by the deputy chief minister and state home minister came here (Senapati) to discuss and find solutions to several issues. We had fruitful and cordial discussions. This is the first round of discussions and a series of talks will follow to find a solution," he told reporters.
"Talks have just started, and results will come after a series of discussions. Still, today’s meeting was an ice-breaker. Let’s wait for the result," Radheshyam said.
On the demand for abrogation of the Suspension of Operations (SoO) agreement with Kuki militant groups, he said, "That is the policy of the government of India. Manipur is part of India and we have to go by the policy and decision of the Centre."
UNC president Ng Lorho, however, said the organisation would not lift its blockade along the national highways until its four-point charter of demands was met.
"We discussed with ministers and MLAs the way forward on how to bring peace. We discussed our four-point charter of demands, and we stick to it. Unless it is fulfilled, we will not end the blockade," Lorho told reporters after the meeting.
He said the government had appealed to the UNC to withdraw the blockade but warned that the organisation could take "more stringent actions" if its demands were not met.
Lorho also said further talks should be held in Senapati and not Imphal.
The UNC has been demanding abrogation of the SoO pact with Kuki militant groups, declaration of the Kuki National Front-President (KNF-P) as a terrorist organisation, removal of the deputy chief minister from office and arrest of KNF-P cadres allegedly involved in the killing of six Naga civilians.
The prolonged blockade along national highways by the UNC since June has severely affected the supply of essential commodities and contributed to a rise in prices of edible items in the state.
(With inputs from PTI)
