Manipur's Naga MLAs say they should be consulted for any arrangement made to end violence in the state

Manipur's Naga MLAs on Friday said they wished the current arrangement for Naga areas where autonomous councils existed should not be disturbed in any solution being worked out for the conflict-ridden state. Ten Naga MLAs arrived in Dimapur after meeting Union Home Minister Amit Shah in Delhi on June 7.

Awangbow Newmai, Manipur Minister for Water Resources, Relief and Disaster Management said "We have made no demand to the Centre, but in the event of any arrangement (for creating new administrative areas in line with demands by Kukis), Naga areas should not be touched as it will create more problems."

Addressing reporters at Chumukedima, around 16km from Dimapur, the Minister said they told Shah that Naga people should be consulted as they are part of an ongoing peace process with the Centre.


He said the government had assured the delegation that the three major communities in Manipur - Kukis, Meiteis and Nagas- will be consulted and consensus will be sought before arriving at any plan.

"Nagas are peace loving people and we are against any kind of war. We also don't want our neighbours to engage in a war. As legislators, we are trying our best to bring both the communities into an understanding so that normalcy is restored in the state," Newmai said.

Newmai appreciated Shah for prompt action to bring the situation in Manipur under control.

Nearly 100 people have lost their lives and 310 others injured in the ethnic violence in Manipur. A total of 37,450 people are currently sheltered in 272 relief camps. Clashes first broke out in the northeastern state on May 3 after a 'Tribal Solidarity March' was organised in the hill districts to protest against the Meitei community's demand for Scheduled Tribes (ST) status.