Naga groups refuse to meet govt team

Leaders of the United Naga Council (UNC) and the All Naga Students Association (ANSAM) did not turn up for talks with a joint state and central government team on Saturday. The ministerial team comprising Information Minister T.N. Haokip, Sports Minister N. Biren and Tribal Development Minister D.D. Thaisii had visited Senapati district headquarters in Manipur to hold talks with the Naga groups."The state and central team expressed regret that the opportunity for a free dialogue was not made use of by the UNC," State Chief Secretary D.S. Poonia said.The joint team unanimously resolved to issue an appeal to the UNC to call off the economic blockade in the larger interest of all communities in the state."The state and Central governments are always open to a dialogue and the UNC is welcome to meet state government representatives," Poonia said.The UNC had presented a four-point charter to the central government, which included the issues of suppression of their rights by the state government, the withdrawal of Section 144 from Naga-inhabited areas and the issue of killing of Naga student during the protests.Disappointed with the central government's failure to address their demands, the UNC imposed a 20-day economic blockade since Wednesday.

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