‘Manipur Government had no discussion with the centre on the Naga issue’

Imphal: Manipur Government has clarified that it has had no discussion with the central government till date on the Naga issue while reacting on a news publication on Tuesday.

The state home department in a statement said the state government had earlier requested ministry of home affairs to make available a copy of the draft Accord to the state government at least one month before the date fixed for consultation so that the state government may be in a position to express its views and comments.

It said a news item has been published in Assam under the heading “Centre initiates talks with Arunachal Pradesh, Manipur” mentioning that Government of India has started the process of talks with the governments of Arunachal Pradesh and Manipur to settle the administrative issues to pave the way for signing of an agreement for settlement of Naga political issues in September. It is also mentioned that the Centre is keen on signing an agreement by taking all stakeholders on board and that the Government has already rejected the demand for inclusion of territories of neighbouring states as a part of the agreement, but two autonomous councils would be formed in Arunachal Pradesh and Manipur under the provisions of Sixth Schedule of the Constitution of India. The Centre has started talking with the governments of Arunachal Pradesh and Manipur to settle the administrative issues regarding formation of Councils and to demarcate the areas of the Councils.