Imphal: A high-level ministerial delegation from the Manipur government met leaders of the United Naga Council (UNC) at the Senapati district headquarters on Monday in what state officials described as a cordial and constructive start to a planned series of engagements.
The meeting began at around 11:30 am and concluded at about 2 pm. It was seen as a preliminary step towards addressing long-standing issues in the state.
However, the UNC refused to suspend its ongoing economic blockade, describing Monday’s meeting as informal rather than formal and calling for more concrete action from the state government.
The state government delegation arrived in Senapati at around 11 am and was led by Deputy Chief Minister Losii Dikho and Home Minister K. Govindas Singh. It included T. Robindro, P. Brojen, government spokesperson Th. Radheshyam, Sheikh Noorul Hassan, Khasim Vasum, J. Kumo Sha, Janghemlung Panmei, Awangbow Newmai and Leishiyo Keishing.
A nine-member team representing the UNC took part in the meeting and presented the concerns and demands of the Naga community.
Speaking to the media after the meeting, MLA Th. Radheshyam described the talks as a vital “icebreaker”.
“We had a very fruitful and cordial discussion,” Radheshyam said. “It is for the first time that we will discuss issues in a series of discussions and find out solutions.”
Radheshyam, however, said it was too early to predict a definitive outcome or set a timeline for resolving the key issues. Asked when the government could address the charter of demands, he said the consultative process had only just begun.
UNC president N.G. Lorho offered a different assessment of the meeting, describing it as an informal exchange rather than formal negotiations.
Lorho said state officials had appealed for the immediate withdrawal of the economic blockade, but the UNC remained firm on its position.
“The UNC will stand by its charter of demands and will not lift the blockade at this stage,” Lorho said, adding that the ball was in the Manipur government’s court.
He warned that the organisation was prepared to take stronger measures if its grievances continued to be ignored. Lorho also said future formal talks should be held in Senapati rather than Imphal and that the council would not accept a compromise without a satisfactory resolution.
The UNC’s four-point charter of demands includes the immediate termination and abrogation of the Suspension of Operations (SoO) agreement with Kuki militant groups, the arrest and prosecution of all individuals allegedly involved in the abductions and murders that occurred on May 13, the designation of the Kuki National Front-P (KNF-P) as an unlawful and terrorist organisation, and the removal of Nemcha Kipgen from the post of Deputy Chief Minister.
State representatives also addressed other issues raised by the Naga leadership, including the rollback of the 16-district reorganisation and restoration of four Naga-dominated districts. Radheshyam said such issues would require further deliberation in subsequent rounds of talks.
On the issue of extending or abrogating the SoO agreement, Radheshyam said he would need to review the specific administrative reasons behind its recent extensions.
He also said that decisions on the complete abrogation of the SoO ultimately fall under the policy framework of the Central government.
“We are a democratic country and are a part of India, so we have to follow the policy and decision of the Government of India,” Radheshyam said.
Both sides agreed on the need for continued dialogue but remained divided over immediate concessions. The economic blockade continues as the two sides await the next round of talks.