Newmai News Network Imphal | April 7 Manipur Chief Minister N Biren Singh said today that "without the hills and tribals there is no Manipur." He said this during a talk with the representatives of the Joint Action Committee Against Anti Tribal Bills (JAC-AATB) in Imphal. After the meeting, Convenor of the JAC-AATB, Mangchinkhup expressed his hope that "the issue" will be resolved soon. "We had held a preliminary round of talks with the State Government today and ended in a positive note," Mangchinkhup informed Newmai News Network after today's talk. Meanwhile, a press release issued by the Chief Minister's Secretariat said that the "first round of talks" between the State Government and the JAC-AATB resulted in a "positive outcome". Nine people were killed and many injured when violence broke out in Churachandpur district in August 2015 after the Manipur Assembly passed the three controversial bills. The tribal people contend that the three bills infringed upon their rights. Eight bodies are yet to be buried as the deadlock between the previous state government and JAC-AATB had persisted. Today's talks were held between the two sides as Manipur Chief Minister Biren has insisted on a prompt solution to the stalemate. The BJP-led government wants to end the protracted problem by engaging the JAC. "In the first round of talk with the JAC, Chief Minister Shri N. Biren Singh expressed his desire to let the families of the victims perform the last rites to the dead bodies considering the mental trauma families of the victims might be having which cannot be measured," the press release of the Chief Minister's Secretariat said. No country/state or even a family without any problem, N Biren Singh said and added that any crisis or problem can be resolved through a series of meetings. In this regard, he made an earnest appeal to the JAC-AATB and the people of Churachandpur to come to the negotiating table. He also said that the Government is ready to have series of negotiations for resolving any issue for the betterment of the State and its people. He also thanked the JAC for responding to the appeal of the govt. for talks. "He reiterated that Manipur is made up of Hills and Valley and without hills and tribals there is no Manipur. Pointing out that government is for the people, the Chief Minister said that his government just after assuming power has been successful in resolving the longest economic blockade through negotiation. He expressed his thankfulness to the United Naga Council (UNC) for lifting their economic blockade," the press note of the Chief Minister's Secretariat added. 11 members from the JAC-AATB participated in today's talk with Chief Minister Biren leading the State Government. Other delegates who represented the State Government side are Works Minister Th. Biswajit Singh, Agriculture/Veterinary Minister V. Hangkhanlian, Social Welfare Minister Nemcha Kipgen, TD & Hills Minister N. Kayisii, Chief Secretary, O. Nabakishore, DGP L.M. Khaute, Law Secretary Th. Kamini Kumar and Deputy Commissioner Churachandpur R. Sudhan. “The meeting was as a whole, positive and both sides are expected to arrive at an agreement soon,” the officials added. They said the JAC-AATB and government representatives are likely to meet again on April 10 in the hope to lay the ground for a final solution to the impasse.
