GUWAHATI: The United Naga Council (UNC), which has been enforcing an economic blockade on two national highways in Manipur since November 1, has set preconditions for its participation in any tripartite talks in which the Manipur government is a party.
The UNC made its position clear after the Manipur government lobbied the Centre for tripartite talks. Manipur chief secretary O Nabakishor disclosed that the state government has requested the Centre for tripartite talks towards finding a solution to the blockade.
“We’ve urged the Centre to invite the UNC and the state government for a tripartite talks. Earlier, UNC had spurned our offer of talks saying they would not deal with the state government,” Nabakishor said.
The UNC insisted that the venue of the tripartite talks be either Delhi or any “Naga” district headquarters.
“Also, the talks should be chaired by the government of India. Our (arrested) president Gaidon Kamei and publicity secretary Shankhel Stephen should be released unconditionally and they should be at the talks table. The core issue, which is the Manipur government’s creation of seven districts without consulting the Nagas, should be the main agenda,” UNC general secretary Milan Shimray told New Indian Express.
“If these conditions are fulfilled, UNC will sit for the talks,” he added.