Government clarifies

Imphal, Aug 18: Reacting to a news item published on August 18 by a Guwahati based daily, the State Govt has clarified that there is no discussion with the Central Government till date on the Naga issue .
A statement issued by the Joint Secretary (Home) said that the news items published under the headline "Centre initiates talks with Arunachal Pradesh, Manipur" mentioned that the Government of India has started the process of talks with the Government of Arunachal Pradesh and Manipur to settle the administrative issues to pave the way for signing of an agreement for settlement of Naga political issues in September.
"It is also mentioned that the Centre is keen on signing an agreement by taking all stakeholders on board and that the Government has already rejected the demand for inclusion of territories of neighbouring States as a part of the agreement, but two autonomous councils would be formed in Arunachal Pradesh and Manipur under the provisions of Sixth Schedule of the Constitution of India. The Centre has started talking with the Government of Arunachal Pradesh and Manipur to settle the administrative issues regarding formation of Councils and to demarcate the areas of the Councils," it said
Clarifying that the State Government has had no discussion with the Central Government till date on the Naga issue, the Joint Secretary also stated that the State Government had earlier requested MHA to make available a copy of the draft Accord to the State Government at least one month before the date fixed for consultation so that the State Government may be in a position to express its views and comments.