Talks between Centre, Manipur Govt and UNC on Districts Rollback Ends, Next Meeting on Nov 15

The tripartite talks between the Centre, Government of Manipur and the United Naga Council (UNC) held in New Delhi today to discuss the rollback of the 7 districts which were created in December 2016 in Manipur remained inconclusive but it was agreed that the three sides will engage further to “resolve the issue in a time-bound manner”.

The next round of talks will be held on November 15 in Senapati, Manipur, official sources said.

“The discussions focused on the creation of seven new districts by Government of Manipur dated December 8, 2016 and UNC’s demand for roll-back of creation of the new districts. The meeting was held in cordial atmosphere and it was mutually agreed that further progress will be made by engaging in a sustained manner in order to resolve the issue in a time-bound manner keeping in view the previous commitments,” sources in the know said.

The meeting was attended by AK. Mishra, Advisor (North East), Ministry of Home Affairs, Vineet Joshi, Manipur Chief Secretary and N. Ashok Kumar, Commissioner-cum- Secretary (Home), Government of Manipur and UNC’s President, Ng. Lorho, General Secretary Vareiyo Shatsang, UNC Working Committee Convenor, Samson Riamei and Secretary AC Thotso, former President KS Paul Leo, Member of UNC Working Committee, Naga Women’s Union President Priscilla Thiumai and All Naga Students Association Manipur President Luikang Luckson.

It needs to be mentioned that, 10 rounds of tripartite talks were held at Senapati District headquarters over the issue in the past with the last round of talks held on March 9, 2019. Today’s meeting was the 11th meeting on the issue.

When were the 7 districts created?

Seven new districts were created on December 8, 2016 that brought the total number of districts in Manipur to 16. This was by the then Congress Government.
Which are the 7 new districts?
The districts are Tengnoupal that was created by bifurcating Chandel district, Kamjong was created from Ukhrul, Pherzawl from Churachandpur, Kangpokpi from Senapati and Jiribam was created from Imphal East district. After the creation of the 7 new districts, Naga Tribes in Manipur had been opposing the decision of the Government.

Why the rollback?
The UNC has been protesting against the creation of the 7 new districts, alleging that the new districts would encroach the ancestral land of the Nagas.

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