Union Home Minister Shinde’s visit on the cards

IMPHAL, October 22: In the wake of reports on possible solution to the long-standing Naga problem the Union Home Minister Sushil Kumar Shinde is slated to visit the state on November 9 and 10, according to reliable reports.

Shinde had talked to the Chief Ministers of Arunachal Pradesh and Manipur for a consensus on steps relating to the welfare of Nagas living in the two states before it reaches a final settlement with the Naga underground groups.

The Home had said, “I have been talking to the Chief Ministers of both Arunachal and Manipur and we are trying to reach a consensus on this.”

Shinde’s statement had come a day after he held talks with Manipur chief minister Okram Ibobi Singh here.

The Manipur Chief Minister Okram Ibobi Singh is presently camping in New Delhi for further consultations with the Home Minister Shinde.

Although the Centre has turned down the demand for carving out Naga-inhabited areas from other states and bring it under a single administrative arrangement, an alternative way to appease tribal sentiments in these areas is being explored.

Consultation with Manipur is a priority for the Centre as the population, especially in Imphal valley, is sensitive to any suggestion of the Naga-inhabited areas being taken away from the state’s territory. In Arunachal Pradesh, the NSCN lays claim to Tirap, Changlang and the newly created Longding district.

According to reliable sources, during his two-day visit in November second week the Union Home Minister may not be visiting the state capital Imphal but a consultation with Nagas seeking alternative arrangement and other stakeholders of the state is being planned at Maram in Senapati district.

Chief Minister Ibobi Singh had already expressed his desire to see an end to the long-standing Naga problem but without compromising the territorial integrity of the state at any cost.

Meanwhile, the NSCN (IM) leaders Isak Chisi Swu and Thuingaleng Muivah who arrived in Dimapur a few days back had vehemently denied kowtowing to the Indian constitution as reported in some national newspapers.

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