Recent Tripartite Discussions on Opposition to Seven New Districts in Manipur

Imphal, Jan 30 (NationPress) A significant tripartite discussion took place among the Centre, the Manipur government, and the United Naga Council (UNC) regarding the Naga body’s request for the repeal of the "arbitrary creation" of seven new districts in the state. This critical issue was thoroughly examined on Thursday, as reported by officials.

A senior official from the Manipur Home Department stated that after an in-depth dialogue during the meeting, it was agreed that a proposal would be introduced by the state government representatives in the upcoming round of tripartite discussions scheduled for April.

The meeting, convened in the Naga-majority Senapati district, featured key attendees such as A. K. Mishra, advisor to the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) on North East Affairs, along with Manipur Chief Secretary Prashant Kumar Singh and Home Commissioner N. Ashok Kumar. Four leaders from the Naga community, including UNC President N.G. Lorho and General Secretary Vareiyo Shatsang, were also present.

The last tripartite talks, which took place on November 29, did not produce any outcomes.

The controversial seven districts were established on December 8, 2016, by the then Congress government under the leadership of the three-term Chief Minister O Ibobi Singh (2002-2017), despite strong opposition from the UNC, the principal body of Naga tribes in Manipur.

The UNC has vigorously contested the formation of these seven new districts, asserting that they infringe upon the ancestral lands of the Naga people.

The Congress administration defended the creation of the seven new districts as a measure for administrative efficiency and better service to the populace.

Representatives from the Manipur government in previous meetings noted challenges that hindered their ability to present a comprehensive proposal.

Last October, the UNC temporarily lifted its 48-hour shutdown after the MHA convened a tripartite meeting to address the issue. The UNC has conducted multiple protests demanding the reversal of the “arbitrary creation” of the seven new districts established in December 2016 and the restoration of the previous status. On September 11 of last year, the UNC issued a warning to Union Home Minister Amit Shah for resolution of the pending matter regarding the “arbitrary creation” of the seven districts in 2016, threatening intensified protests if the issue remained unresolved within 15 days.

The Naga organization contended that the establishment of the seven new districts was done in “dishonor” of the four agreements made between the government of Manipur and the Naga community, as well as the commitments made by the Centre in 2011.

The Naga population primarily resides in six districts of Manipur -- Tamenglong, Chandel, Ukhrul, Kamjong, Noney, and Senapati, which border Nagaland and Myanmar. During the 21 months of ethnic strife in Manipur between the non-tribal Meitei and the tribal Kuki-Zo communities, the areas inhabited by the Naga people remained largely undisturbed.