Newmai News Network Imphal | February 4 Additional Chief Secretary (Home) of Manipur government, Dr Suresh Babu hoped that the ongoing economic blockade imposed by the United Naga Council (UNC) would be lifted soon. Representatives of Manipur government headed by Dr Suresh Babu on Saturday returned to Imphal along with UNC president Gaidon Kamei after attending a 'tripartite talk' involving the Centre in New Delhi yesterday. The Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) initiated the talks. The Government of India is looking for ways to end the impasse. The first round of meeting between the Centre, Manipur government and UNC ended on a 'positive note', according to Dr Babu. “We hope that the blockade will end in the next few days' time,” he said while informing that there will be a 'meeting' on February 7. Responding to media queries, the Manipur Additional Chief Secretary said the issue on creation of districts was raised by the UNC side during the meeting but “we told them that the issue should be deferred for the time being.” “We told them that for the time being, the priority should be given to the blockade. The people have suffered a lot,” Dr Babu said. He also said that the UNC representatives were strongly urged to lift the economic blockade. When mediapersons sought comments from UNC leader Gaidon Kamei on the first round of meeting, he simply said," Let's wait for the new development." The Naga organization launched the blockade from November 1, 2016 after the Manipur government planned to grant full-fledged district status to Sadar Hills and Jiribam subdivisions. But later the state government created seven new districts leading the UNC to intensify the stir.
