Fruitful and Meaningful Talks With Chief Minister, but Not Conclusive: UNC President

The Chief Minister, during his visit to Senapati and Kangpokpi districts on Wednesday, held a closed-door meeting with representatives of the United Naga Council (UNC) at the Senapati Deputy Commissioner's Complex.

The meeting was attended by Deputy Chief Minister Losii Dikho, Independent MLA J. Kumo Sha, BJP MLA Tongbram Robindro Singh, NPP MLA Sheikh Noorul Hassan, and other government representatives.

Speaking to media persons after the meeting, UNC President Ng. Lorho said the talks were "fruitful and meaningful" but remained inconclusive.

Lorho said the government representatives requested the UNC to call off the economic blockade and conveyed their appeal for the goodwill release of the 14 Kuki-Zo hostages.

However, he said the UNC reiterated its four key demands and maintained that it would not be in a position to claim the bodies of the six deceased persons kept at the mortuary until those demands are fulfilled. He added that the economic blockade would continue.

Lorho said the UNC's demands to the government include the abrogation of the Suspension of Operations (SoO) agreements with Kuki militant groups, the arrest of all those allegedly involved in the kidnapping and killing of the six Naga individuals, the arrest of the chief of Leilon Vaiphei village, and the removal of Nemcha Kipgen from the post of Deputy Chief Minister.

"If the government is not serious about the issue, the UNC could intensify its agitation," Lorho said.