Talk with Govt fails to break ice, KSDC to continue with stir
Gaikhangam secures free passage for Sangai fest and TET candidates, demand for Kuki State begins to straddle different issues
Source: The Sangai Express

Imphal / Lamka, November 20 2012: Against the expectation that Deputy Chief Minister Gaikhangam will manage to win over the Kuki State Demand Committee (KSDC) and secure a relaxation of the public blockade when he met them today, the KSDC today said their three days old public blockade will continue as the State Government has failed to give a written assurance on the date for initiating a political dialogue.

Gaikhanngam however managed to secure free passage for those participating in the Sangai festival and candidates appearing for the TET exam.

The Tet examination is scheduled to be held on November 27 while the Sangai festival will start from November 21 and go on till November 30 .

However, the demand for carving out a separate Kuki State was not included in the meeting's agenda, said Gaikhangam, after the meeting with KSDC earlier in the day.

"Considering the appeal made by the representatives of the State Government to suspend the public blockade in view of the Sangai festival and TET exams, special considerarions will be given to the participants with valid documents for Sangai festival with prior information to the committee and candidates for TET examination,' the KSDC spokesperson K Khongsai told the press today.

"During today's talk held in Imphal, the Deputy Chief Minister informed us that political dialogue between the Centre and leaders of the Kuki militant groups would be initiated after the ensuing Parliament session and that Central officials would be sent to Manipur to chalk out modalities for the talks," Benjamin said.

KSDC leaders addressing the media

"We appreciate the initiatives of the Deputy CM to address the long standing demand for a separate Kukiland, but we are not happy with the Centre's indirect response.

If they (Centre) are as serious towards our legitimate demand as they are towards the Nagas, they should have given us an official statement for holding the political dialogue," reacted Benjamin.

"This being the case, we will continue our stir until and unless the Centre gives us an official intimation for holding a dialogue with the leaders of the Kuki militant outfits," he added.

Meanwhile the KSDC's information and publicity secretary George Guite has expressed annoyance against the State police who he alleged ran over a blockade supporter identified as Nemkim, 45 years today.

"Even as the State Government invited the KSDC for a talk, the State forces in connivance with some vested interest parties have caused injury to a bandh supporter at Mongneljang on Imphal-Ukhrul road.

The incident was against the spirit in which the KSDC was invited for a talk,' he charged.

Nemkim, he said, is under treatment at Christian Hospital in Deulahlane, Imphal.

Earlier in the day, the State Government held a meeting with KSDC.

At the invitation of the State Government, the State Government held a meeting with a five-member delegation of KSDC in the office chamber of Deputy Chief Minister Gaikhangam this morning.

Apart from Gaikhangam, Education Minister M Okendro, MLA Yamthong Haokip, Chief Minister DS Poonia and DGP Y Joykumar were present at the meeting.

Briefing media persons after the meeting, Gaikhangam stated that the meeting ended on a positive note with both sides showing clear understanding of the issue at hand.

KSDC delegates were conveyed about his meeting with Union Home Minister Sushilkumar Shinde about initiating political dialogue with Kuki UG groups as well as Sushilkumar's response to send a team of Home Ministry officials to Manipur after the Parliamentary session to prepare the ground work and finalise the modality for political dialogue.

Pointing out that the Centre has agreed to initiate political dialogue with the Kuki UG groups, the Deputy Chief Minister appealed to the KSDC to call off the bandh in view of the Sangai Festival, Indo-ASEAN car rally and TET exam.

At this, KSDC delegates maintained that they would take a concrete decision on the ongoing bandh only after a meeting of their leaders this evening.

The demand for carving out a separate Kuki State did not figure during the meeting as the matter should be discussed with the Centre.

The Centre's willingness to initiate political dialogue is a good step, Gaikhangam remarked.