Jan 29, 2025: The much-awaited tripartite talk with the Center, the Manipur Government, and UNC is all set to be held tomorrow (Jan 30 at 11 AM) at Senapati District Headquarters. The Ministry of Home Affairs – North East Division has already issued a meeting notice to UNC, dated January 24, signed by A.K. Mishra, Advisor Northeast.
Leaders from UNC, the Naga Apex body, along with representatives from other Naga CSOs, are speculated to attend the meeting. However, it is not known who will represent the state government in the said meeting tomorrow.
The UNC has been consistent in demanding the rollback of the previous O. Ibobi Singh-led Congress Government’s decision of December 8, 2016, which created seven new districts in Manipur: Jiribam, Kamjong, Kakching, Tengnoupal, Noney, Pherzawl, and Kangpokpi. Earlier, the number of districts in the state was nine—four in the valley: Imphal West, Imphal East, Thoubal, and Bishnupur, and five in the hills: Chandel, Churachandpur, Senapati, Tamenglong, and Ukhrul.
The talks started in 2017, and 11 rounds of meetings have been held; however, the meetings remained inconclusive. The last talk, held on November 29 between the Centre, the Manipur Government, and the United Naga Council (UNC), also remained inconclusive. The talks are part of an ongoing dialogue that resumed on October 11, 2024, in New Delhi after a long hiatus.
