4th round of Alternative Arrangement dialogue UNC puts across undiluted opinion
Source: The Sangai Express

Imphal, August 31 2012: The 4th round of tripartite talk between the Government of India (GoI), Government of Manipur (GoM) 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 today at 11 am.

On the other hand, officials representing the State Government, Chief Secretary DS Poonia, Additional Chief Secretary Ameising Luikham and Principal Secretary (Home) Dr Suresh Babu highlighted the works taken up in the hill districts as well as the devolution of power to the Autonomous District Councils.

The GoI was led by Ajay Chadha, Special Secretary, Ministry of Home Affairs and GoM was represented by DS Poonia, Chief Secretary and other senior officials of the State Government.

UNC was represented by the President, Vice- President and General Secretary along with six other members.

In the talk, the UNC expressed its displeasure over the inordinate delay in resumption of the talk process which reflected disrespect for the democratic process of dialogue on the part of the GoI and the GoM.

File pic of a rally in support of Alternative Arrangement

After recalling the salient features of the discussions held in the first three rounds of talks, views were expressed by the UNC on the legitimacy of the demand and the political nature of the same.

UNC also submitted a postulate of the demand for the Alternative Arrangement in which it was clearly brought out that it should be outside the Government of Manipur.

The meeting ended with the agreement that the next round would be held at an early date at a venue in the hills of Manipur.

The postulates submitted by the UNC said that the Nagas and the tribal are being submerged and overwhelmed by the majority and the alleged communal Government of Manipur.

"It is for the GoI to recognise our rights and based on such recognition, intervene as rightly demanded with an Alternative Arrangement", it said.

The postulates laid down by the UNC are; The 14th September, 2010 memorandum submitted to the Government of India is the basis of the tripartite talk process.

The demand for an alternative arrangement is for an arrangement outside the Government of Manipur.

The demand for intervention with an Alternative Arrangement is urgent, pending settlement of the Indo-Naga issue.

Our demand is limited to the Nagas in Manipur and cannot undercut or upstage the negotiation on the all encompassing Indo-Naga negotiation taking place at a higher level.

The Alternative Arrangement outside the Government of Manipur must be an institutional authority, with legislative, administrative and financial powers which will administer the Nagas in Manipur directly under the Government of India.

The constitution and attributes of the institutional authority may be worked out in consultation with Naga people.

The wish of all Nagas is that the Indo-Naga issue be settled at the earliest possible time.