Imphal: A high-level delegation of Naga apex civil organisations, led by the United Naga Council (UNC), departed from Manipur’s Senapati district headquarters on Friday morning for Assam to participate in tripartite talks scheduled for September 26.
The meeting, convened at the BSF FTR HQ Officer Mess in Garbhanga, Assam, will bring together representatives from the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA), the Government of India, the Manipur Government’s Home Department and various Naga civil bodies.
According to an official communication from Manipur’s Commissioner-cum-Secretary (Home), N. Ashok Kumar, to UNC President Ng Lorho, the 11:00 AM session will focus on reviewing the prevailing law and order situation in Manipur alongside peace-building initiatives.
More than 10 delegates from prominent Naga organisations are part of the delegation, including representatives from the UNC, its working committee, the All Naga Students’ Association, Manipur (ANSAM), the Naga Women’s Union (NWU), the Liangmai Naga Council (LNC), the Rongmei Naga Council (RNC), the Joint Tribe Council, Manipur (JTC-M), and the Naga Peoples’ Organisation (NPO).
During the talks, the UNC is expected to push for several core demands, including the immediate abrogation of the Suspension of Operations (SoO) pact with Kuki militant groups, the official designation of the Kuki National Front-President (KNF-P) as a terrorist organisation, and the swift arrest and prosecution of KNF-P cadres and specific village chiefs allegedly involved in the abduction and killing of Naga civilians.
The delegation is also expected to seek legislative and administrative accountability, including the removal of certain state officials and ministers over their handling of the security crisis.
Parallel discussions with central authorities and the Governor have also focused on the delegation’s opposition to the proposed India-Myanmar border fencing and the cancellation of the Free Movement Regime (FMR) in Naga-inhabited areas.