Newmai News Network Senapati | March 19 The United Naga Council (UNC) will lift the economic blockade on the National Highways linking Manipur from Sunday midnight following a “fruitful” tripartite talk involving the Centre, Manipur government and UNC at Senapati district headquarters this afternoon. Talking to NNN after the meeting, UNC General Secretary S Milan said the economic blockade will be lifted from midnight of March 19 following the agreement between the participating parties in the talk. “We’re very happy that the UNC has agreed to lift the blockade. We had a fruitful negotiation,” Joint Secretary, NE, Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) Satyendar Garg told media after the meeting at Senapati. He said the UNC has its grievances and that today’s agreement said all stakeholders will be consulted on the issue. Meanwhile, Manipur Chief Minister N Biren Singh said his new government’s promise to the people to open the blockade within 24 hours after the new MLAs took oath has been fulfilled. Addressing a press meet at Classic Hotel here, the Chief Minister further assured to take steps for burial of those killed during violent protests in 2015. Churachandpur district erupted in violence after the Manipur Assembly passed three controversial “anti-migrant bills” on August 31, 2015. Biren Singh also assured to repair the important Imphal-Jiribam road, NH-37 which has remained in bad condition. NH-2 and NH-37 are considered lifelines of Manipur. UNC had started the blockade since November 1, 2016 on the two highways, NH-2 and NH-37, in protest against the previous Congress government’s plan to create two new districts, Sadar Hills and Jiribam. But, the government later created seven new districts, saying it was necessary for administrative convenience. In today’s meeting, the Government of Manipur was represented by Additional Chief Secretary Dr J Suresh Babu and Works Commissioner K Radhakumar Singh while the Government of India was represented by Joint Secretary, NE, Ministry of Home Affairs, Satyendar Garg. UNC was represented by its general secretary S Milan, former presidents Paul Leo, Samson Remei, Lohrii Adani, All Naga Students’ Association (ANSAM) president Seth Shatsang and Naga Women’s Union (NWU) president LM Tabitha. Agreement of the tripartite talks In the tripartite meeting, the grievances of UNC which led to the imposition of blockade were recognised as there was non-adherence to the four Memoranda of Understanding and the Government of India’ assurance on the matter, according to the meeting agreement. It said the Manipur government agreed to start consultation with all stakeholders to redress the same. “The Government of Manipur will unconditionally release the arrested United Naga Council leaders and all the cases related to economic blockade against the of Naga tribes leaders and students’ leaders will be closed,” the agreement said. It added that the next tripartite talks will be held within a month’s time at political level. ‘Welcome home’ prog for UNC leaders Elaborate arrangement has been made to “welcome home” UNC President Gaidon Kamei and Information Secretary SK Stephen in Senapati headquarters, who are expected to be released from jail by 12 noon on Monday. The “welcome home” programme will start at 1:00 pm on March 20. UNC leaders said Gaidon and Stephen will address the public.