Consultation Meet On Alternative Arrangement

IMPHAL, Sep 21 : The United Naga Council (UNC)’s campaign for an ‘alternative arrangement’ continues.

After the last round round of tripartite talk held on August 31 involving the Government of Manipur, UNC leaders and Central Government in New Delhi, the apex Naga body in Manipur is on a consultation spree.

“A one day consultative meeting on ‘alternative arrangement’ for the Nagas in Manipur, pending settlement of the Indo-Naga issue, hosted by the Chandel Naga Peoples’ Organisation (CNPO) was organized by the UNC and the Committee for Alternative Arrangement, UNC at Japhou village, Chamdil (Chandel in Manipur) on September 19, 2012. More than 250 participants comprising of members of the Naga Parliamentary Forum, Naga Employees Federation, Church leaders, Tribe Presidents & Representatives, President & representatives of Naga regional (district) organisations, Naga frontal organisations, scholars and intellectuals took part in the consultation,” according to the UNC.

It further claimed that the September 19 event witnessed the presentation of the Naga people’s movement for alternative arrangement and also the proceedings of the four rounds of talk of the tripartite dialogue process. “Another important input of the programme was the presentation of the historical; political & legal; social, moral and intellectual legitimacy of the demand for an Alternative Arrangement outside the Government of Manipur,” added the Naga body.

General subscription and suggestions towards carrying forward the people’s movement for an alternative arrangement and on the next round of tripartite talk were also received from the participants.

The meeting drew out an agreement that similar exercise would be carried out by the tribe based organisations in their respective jurisdiction within the month of September, 2012 so as to update the masses on the status of the movement, added the UNC.

The 4th round of ‘tripartite talk’ involving Government of India, the Government of Manipur and the United Naga Council (UNC) on the demand for an “Alternative Arrangement” outside the Government of Manipur, pending settlement of the Indo-Naga issue was held at Hotel Ashoka, Delhi on August 31.

The Government of India was led by Ajay Chadha, Special Secretary, Ministry of Home Affairs and the government of Manipur was represented by its chief secretary D. S. Poonia, and other senior officials of the State Government. UNC was represented by the president, vice-president and the general secretary along with six other members.

According to the United Naga Council, the August 31 tripartite meet ended with the agreement that the next round would be held at an early date at a venue in the hills of Manipur.