Imphal, June 06 2010: Taking the intiatives to break the present deadlock throttling Manipur, arising out of the deep divide between the people and valley people as well as the ban imposed on the movement of vehicles from Manipur in Nagaland or Naga inhabited areas, a team of the All Manipur Church Association (AMCO), led by its president Rev Prim Vaiphei has held talks with its Nagaland counter parts as well as Naga civil societies.

Speaking to The Sangai Express, the AMCO's president said that during its two days stint in Nagaland (May 28 to 29) it held talks on wide ranging issues with the Nagaland Baptists Church Council (NBCC) as well as the Naga Hoho and the Naga Students' Federation.

"During our meeting with the NSF representatives, the student leaders said that their attempt to enter Manipur on May 3 was not in any connected with the proposed trip of Muivah," Rev Prim disclosed, while recalling his interactions with the student body.

The NSF delegates said that the ban was imposed in protest against the bar on the entry of the students, including its president by the Manipur police at Mao Gate.

Efforts to usher in peace and clear all misunderstandings and bring peace in the two neighbouring States through the initiatives of the Church leaders from either side (AMCO and NBCC) was discussed, said Rev Prim.

As the umbrella body of all Church associations, irrespective of denominations in Manipur, AMCO undertook the initiative to embark on a peace mission and will continue to do so, he added.

Rev Prim further made it clear that AMCO is a neutral body and does not owe allegiance or leanings towards any political parties or civil society organisations and the goodwill mission to Nagaland was neither sponsored nor organised by the State Government.

"After our return to Manipur, we have already briefed the Chief Minister and the MPCCI president Gaikhangam of our goodwill mission to Nagaland so that the State Government may start some initiatives to end the deadlock," he said.

AMCO may visit Nagaland again or the NBCC may come down to Imphal, he added.