92-day economic blockade eases in Manipur

At the end of the third round of its talks with the Sadar Hills District Demand Committee,the government signed a memorandum of understanding MoU,agreeing in principle to declare a separate Sadar Hills district. Two earlier meetings between the committee and the government,led by Chief Secretary D S Poonia,had broken down at the final stages,and the committee had reacted by hardening its position.

Committee president Ngamkhohao Haokip expressed happiness over last nights agreement. After meeting the government representatives,we felt that both the central government and state government were serious about taking our demands into consideration and meeting them. We want to give them an opportunity to think about it. We are aware that such political negotiations and decisions cannot be taken under such tense situations,so we have decided to lift the blockade, Haokip told The Indian Express today. Haokip said that the home ministers visit did influence our decision as well8230; we took it into consideration.

The governments tone was more cautious. Chief Secretary Poonia said that a final decision would be taken only after three months,after the reorganisation committee set up to re-demarcate the states districts submits its report. We have simply declared a couple of sub-districts within Senapati district where the Sadar Hills are located till a final decision is taken, he said of last nights agreement.

The agreement has proposed the bifurcation of Kangpokpi into Champhai and T Vaichong subdivisions,Saikul into Saikul and Island subdivisions,and Saitu-Gamphazol into Saitu-Gamphazol and Kangchup Geljang. The three new subdivisions are to be inaugurated by the end of this month.

Agreement has also been reached on locating the office of the SDO,Champhai,at Kangpokpi temporarily,and on the government withdrawing all cases against committee leaders.

The economic blockade has been in force since August 1.