Imphal, Nov 2 (IANS) Home Minister P. Chidambaram Wednesday urged people in Manipur to resolve all issues through dialogue, even as there is no end in sight to the indefinite economic blockade of the state with an influential tribal Naga group announcing intensification of their agitation plans.
‘All efforts would be made to restore peace, harmony and development in the state,’ Chidambaran said.
The home minister was addressing a public meeting at Senapati, a Naga-dominated district in Manipur, after inaugurating a mini-secretariat building.
‘All issues must be resolved through the process of dialogue,’ Chidambaram said.
The home minister later held an in-camera meeting with three powerful tribal Naga groups, aimed at convincing them to lift the economic blockade that continued for its 93rd day Wednesday.
Details of the meeting were not immediately known, although the home minister tried convincing the striking leaders to call off the blockade.
But Chidambaram’s meeting apparently failed with the United Naga Council (UNC) deciding to continue its economic blockade on the two national highways on Manipur side and called a three-day general strike from midnight Thursday to protest against the government’s assurance of turning Sadar Hills area in Senapati district into a separate district.
The general strike is being supported by the All Naga Students Association Manipur.
The Manipur government late Monday signed an agreement with the rival Kuki tribe and agreed to concede to their demand of creating a full-fledged district.
The Nagas are opposed to the decision.
