The over three-month-long economic blockade in Manipur is likely to end soon with the Home Ministry saying “substantial progress” has been made in the talks held on Friday with the Manipur government and a Naga group spearheading the agitation in the poll-bound State.
The tripartite talks, among the officials of the Centre, Manipur government and representatives of United Naga Council (UNC), were successfully organised here. The Ministry successfully brokered the talks and the economic crises will end soon in Manipur, official sources said. They said an agreement in this regard has been reached between the agitating Naga group and the State government which is likely to be signed shortly.
The key National Highway number 2 (NH 2) is blocked since November 1 by UNC cadre, which led to normal life being severely affected there. The Council is protesting against creation of seven new districts in the State.
A late-night statement issued by the Home Ministry said there was “substantial progress” on the issues in the talks. “Next tripartite meeting is expected on 7th Feb, 2017 on the issues,” it said. Friday’s meeting was attended by UNC president Gaidon Kamei and the Council’s information secretary Sangkhel Stephen, both of whom are lodged in Imphal central jail since January after Manipur police arrested them on November 25 last for leading the indefinite blockade.