Manipur Govt-UNC Talks ‘Fruitful, Cordial’; More Rounds Planned

The first round of talks between the Manipur government and the United Naga Council (UNC) was described as “fruitful and cordial” with both sides agreeing to continue discussions on issues raised by the Naga apex body.

The meeting was held at Senapati district headquarters, where a delegation led by Deputy Chief Minister L Dikho and Home Minister Govindas Konthoujam met UNC representatives.

Government spokesperson Thokchom Radheshyam termed the meeting an “ice breaker” and said rounds of talks would follow. He said the discussions were a beginning and outcomes would emerge after sustained engagement.

“Talks have just started, and results will come after a series of discussions,” Radheshyam told reporters,

A major UNC demand was the abrogation of the Suspension of Operations (SoO) agreement with Kuki militant groups. Responding to the demand, Radheshyam said the matter fell under the policy of the Centre, adding that Manipur, as part of India, would follow the decisions of the Union government.

UNC president Ng Lorho said the organisation had discussed its four-point charter of demands with the ministers and MLAs but would not withdraw its blockade along national highways unless the demands were fulfilled.

Lorho said the government had appealed to the UNC to end the blockade, but warned that the organisation could take “more stringent actions” if its demands were not addressed. He also insisted that future discussions should be held in Senapati rather than Imphal.

The UNC’s demands include scrapping the SoO pact, declaring the Kuki National Front-President (KNF-P) a terrorist organisation, removing the deputy chief minister from office and arresting KNF-P cadres allegedly involved in the killing of six Naga civilians.

The highway blockade, which has continued since June, has severely disrupted the movement of essential commodities and contributed to rising prices of edible items in Manipur.

The latest dialogue offers a potential opening for renewed peace engagement, but the differing positions over the UNC’s demands and the blockade indicate that significant challenges remain before a broader resolution can be reached.