Context
Tripartite dialogue mooted with United Naga Council and State government over the ongoing highway blockade
What has happened?
The Centre has decided to hold tripartite talks with the United Naga Council (UNC) and the Manipur government to end the ongoing blockade of two national highways in Manipur, which has disrupted normal life and led to a shortage of essential commodities in the State.
The Blockade
The economic blockade imposed by the UNC, an umbrella body of Naga groups under the patronage of National Socialist Council of Nagaland (Isak-Muivah), against the Manipur government’s decision to carve out seven new districts, has continued for over four months now
Accusations on centre
The Centre has been accused of turning a blind eye to the activities of the UNC, with which the Union government had signed a framework agreement in 2015 to resolve the decades-old Naga issue
Centre’ stand
After consulting the Attorney General (AG) central government has stated that no law permitted it to interfere in the matter, as law and order was a State subject.
“We have been sending Central forces and are doing our bit. The State government has not been forthcoming to end the deadlock as the current situation would help them in the upcoming elections”, an official said
