IMPHAL/Lamka, Nov 20 MNS NNN: Talks were held between the state government of Manipur and the agitating Kuki State Demand Committee (KSDC) on Tuesday but failed to break the ice.
Hence, the Kuki State Demand Committee will continue its ‘public blockade’.
KSDC has been demanding that the government starts dialogues with Kuki militant organisations at the earliest
“We will go on with the public blockade for two or three more days and decide the next course of action (to intensify the agitation)”, said KSDC information secretary George Guite .
An emergency meeting of the KSDC was held at Chrachandpur this afternoon after the talks with the state government held this morning in Imphal. Soon after the emergency meeting, the KSDC told reporters at Churachandpur that its stand of “public blockade” will continue as it is, until the Union government gives a written assurance inviting the committee.
Meanwhile, in its statement the KSDC said, “This statement is issued in line of KSDC’s response to humble appeal of Pu Gaikhangam, honorable deputy chief minister/Home minister, Manipur and subsequentlty the Kuki State Demand Committee held an emergency meeting at Bijang Vengnom, Churachandpur to discuss the outcome of the meeting between the state government and the representatives of the KSDC today at the office chamber of the deputy chief minister at 10:40 am.
“Considering the appeal made by the representatives of the state government for suspension of the ongoing bandh in view of the Sangai Festival and Teacher’s Eligibilty Test (TET) exams, special consideration will be given to the participants with valid documents for the Sangai Festival with prior information to the committee and those aspirrants for TET examination. The Committee reiterates its stand that public blockade will continue as it is, until the Union government gives a written assurance inviting the committee.”
The KSDC then expressed its apreciation regarding the initiatives taken by the state government to pressurise the government of India for the ‘Kuki Solution’. “We also appeal all sections of societies, groups and individuals to support the aspirations of the neglected Kuki people,” the Committee added.
“The Committee then condemns in an unequivocal term the atrocities committeed by the state force in connivance with some vested individuals by causing injury to an elderly woman identified as Mrs Nemkim, 45 years who is a bandh supporter ar Mongneljang in Imphal-Ukhrul road at 11 am today while the KSDC leaders were holding
meeting with the government of Manipur. It shows the state government is not sincere enough for the cause of Kuki
people. She is now being hospitalised at Christian Hospital, Imphal,” the KSDC statement said.
Meanwhile, Tuesday’s talks proved effective to both sides and the end result was expected very soon, Deputy Chief Minister Gaikhangam told the media at his office chamber after the meeting this morning. The meeting between the representatives of the state Government and KSDC was held at the office chamber of Gaikhangam in the Old Secretariat. It began at 10: 20 am and continued till 11:30 am.
In view of the 30th Junior National Softball Championship 2012 to be started from tomorrow at the Main Stadium, Khuman Lampak Sports Complex, Imphal as well as Manipur Sangai Festival which also starts tomorrow and Teacher Eligibility test (TET) exam scheduled for November 26, the state Government side strongly urged the leaders of KSDC to withdraw the strike during the meeting, Gaikhangam said.
Gaikhangam reiterated that the stage has been set to start peace talks between Kuki militant outfits and the Government after the Winter Session of Parliament which begins November 24 and said the state Government is very much keen on the proposed peace process and also taking effective role to start it, he added.
Gaikhangam also told the KSDC side that if the state and Central Government fail to take positive steps towards that end the Kuki organization can resume its stir. Telling this to the KSDC representatives, the Deputy CM asked them to end the ongoing public blockade.
Yet, the KSDC leaders failed to give immediate word to the state Government side on withdrawal of the blockade saying they would first convene a joint meeting of the committee to discuss it. They also assured that the decision would be intimated to the Government on Tuesday itself.
Asked what steps would be taken in the event of failure of the KSDC to give positive response about ending the stir, Gaikhangam said the state Government would provide security escort to the public travelling on the National Highways and measures are taken to make available essential commodities as usual. But, Gaikhangam said he was optimistic that KSDC would call off the strike in the interest of the public.
Gaikhangam was assisted by, MLA Yamthong Haokip, CS DS Poonia, DGP Y Joykumar Special Secy, Home AK Sinha and while KSDC chairman, vice chairman, general secretary and two members represented the committee during the meeting.
The protesting KSDC has imposed an indefinite public blockade in all the Kuki-dominated areas including the two National Highways linking the state since November 17 evening demanding the Government to set the stage to begin peace talks with the Kuki National Front (KNF) and United People’s Front (UPF) at the earliest. The KNO and UPF are the two umbrella organizations of Kuki militant outfits operating in the state.
Read more / Original news source: http://manipur-mail.com/blockade-to-continue-inspite-of-cordial-talks/
