“Substantial progress” has been made in the negotiations between the Union Home Ministry, the Manipur government and the United Naga Council about lifting the three-month-long economic blockade in the state, the Centre said on Friday. “A few points needed further discussions at their organisation level,” the government said, according to ANI. The next round of discussions will be held on February 7.
Friday’s meeting revolved around the major issues – creation of seven districts and cases filed against UNC leaders. Sources told The Indian Express that the blockade was likely to be lifted in the next three to four days because the government had agreed to fulfill several demands made by the Naga body.
The three-month long economic blockade has disrupted the transport of essential items to Manipur through National Highways 2 and 37, and has affected everyday life. It was imposed by the UNC on November 1, 2016, to protest against the government’s decision to upgrade Sadar Hills and Jiribam areas to create seven full-fledged districts.
On December 12, the Home Ministry had said in a statement that no one would be allowed to take the law into their own hands. About a month later, Manipur Chief Minister Okram Ibobi Singh had dismissed a ministry report that had said that the law and order situation in his state was “not conducive” to conduct Assembly elections.
Polls for the state’s 69 Assembly seats will be held in two phases on March 4 and March 8. The Home Minister on January 31 had sought the Election Commission’s intervention to resolve the crisis.
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