Imphal, November 30 2009: Leaders of the Working Committee on Apunba Lup held talks with four ministers appointed by the Chief Minister, O Ibobi for negotiation to end the nearly four month old impasse that led to keeping thousands of students out of class.

The four ministers held talks with the leaders of the WCAL today.

The meeting which was started around noon lasted till 4 pm, sources said.

The meeting was held at a secret places located some two hours of travelling from Imphal.

Any of the participating members, however, refused to disclose the details of the talk except one who said that the impasse is likely to end by December 2 .

Chief Minister, O Ibobi had entrusted four senior ministers of his council of ministers, K Ranjit (works minister), N Loken (agriculture), L Jayentakumar (education) and SPF spokesperson N Biren (IFCD) to held talks and bring the agitating group to the negotiating table.

All the four ministers present in the meeting, the source said but refused to disclosed names of the leaders of the Apunba Lup stating that disclosure may give disturbances the progress of the talk.

A highly reliable source said that representatives of the three students' bodies, AMSU, MSF and KSA spearheading the class boycott stir also participated in the meeting.

Thinking that hindrances are likely to come up, the programme of the meeting was not informed to the top officials of the police department.

No police officers know about the meeting, the source maintained.

A person who did not want to mention his name confirming the holding of the meeting said that he himself attended the meeting but work minister, K Ranjit and SP spokesperson, N Biren when contacted keep aside about holding talks.

During the talks, from the Apunba Lup side, demands which can be fulfilled by the government were insisted to translate into works for bringing an end to the impasse between the government and agitating body.

However, the demand for resignation of Chief Minister, O Ibobi demanded by the agitating bodies was not focused in the meeting.

As a result of the talk, government is expected to take up some appearance works which would not affect to the election code of conduct which is in force in following issue of notification for the bye-poll to Yaiskul Assembly election.

Comment