Senapati: The 12th round of the Tripartite Talk involving the Government of India, the Government of Manipur, and the United Naga Council (UNC) on the contentious issue of the creation of seven new districts was held in Senapati district on Friday.
The discussions centered on the Government of Manipur’s decision on December 8, 2016, to create seven new districts and the UNC’s longstanding demand for a rollback of this decision.
During the meeting, the state government’s representatives, led by N. Ashok Kumar, Commissioner (Home), Government of Manipur, stated their inability to present a concrete proposal, citing certain challenges. This elicited strong objections from the UNC, which emphasized the need for a concrete proposal in the next round of talks.
Despite the differences, the meeting proceeded in a cordial atmosphere, with all parties agreeing to engage in sustained dialogue to resolve the matter politically within a time-bound framework, in alignment with previous commitments.
It was mutually decided to convene the next round of Tripartite Talks in the last week of January 2025 at the Senapati district headquarters.
The meeting was attended by key stakeholders, including A.K. Mishra, Advisor (NE), Ministry of Home Affairs; N. Ashok Kumar, Commissioner (Home), Government of Manipur; Ng. Lorho, President of the UNC; Vareiyo Shatsang, General Secretary, UNC; M. Luikang Luckson, President of the All Naga Students’ Association Manipur; Ch. Priscilla Thiumai, President of the Naga Women’s Union; Mamomi Doley, Deputy Commissioner, Senapati; Anupam, Senapati SP; and S. Lunguiba Thangal, SDO, Senapati.
It is worth noting that on October 11, 2024, the Tripartite Talks on the district creation issue resumed in New Delhi after a long hiatus. This session involved representatives from the UNC, the Government of India, and the Government of Manipur.
The issue traces back to December 8, 2016, when the then Congress-led Government of Manipur announced the creation of seven new districts. This decision sparked strong opposition from the UNC, the apex body representing the Nagas in Manipur. The UNC launched a 139-day economic blockade along the national highways, one of the longest protests in Manipur’s history.
The first round of talks to address the issue was held on March 19, 2017, followed by multiple subsequent rounds. Both sides continue to work towards a resolution, with hopes of finding an amicable solution in the upcoming discussions.
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