Meitei, Naga MLAs head for Delhi talk

By Our Staff Reporter
IMPHAL, Oct 14 : With the highly anticipated talk among elected representatives of Meitei, Kuki and Naga communities scheduled at 1.30 pm on October 15 at New Delhi, a number of MLAs/Ministers belonging to Meitei and Naga communities left Imphal for New Delhi today.
The talk aimed at exploring a solution to the protracted violent crisis in Manipur and restoring peace in the State is being sponsored by the Ministry of Home Affairs and the MLAs/Ministers who would take part in the crucial meeting were personally invited by the MHA.
However, it could not be confirmed till the time of filing this report whether any Kuki MLA/Minister had left for the talk at Delhi.
The talk among the legislators from Manipur will be held at 20 Subramaniam Bharti Marg near Khan Market, Delhi at 1.30 pm tomorrow.  
While some MLAs/Ministers are already at Delhi,  few legislators left for Delhi  on October 13. Some other  MLAs/Ministers left Imphal for Delhi today.
Moreover, a few other legislators who were elsewhere reached Delhi today.
The MLAs/Ministers who left Imphal for Delhi today  included Power Minister Thongam Biswajit, MA-HUD Minister Yumnam Khemchand, Health & Family Welfare Minister Dr Sapam Ranjan, Education Minister Thounaojam Basantakumar, MLA Lou-rembam Rameshwar, MLA Khongbantabam Ibomcha and MLA Kh Raghumani.
Speaker Th Satyabrata and Thanga AC MLA K Robindro left Imphal for Delhi on Sunday.
Heirok AC MLA Th Radheshyam and a few other MLAs are already at Delhi. MLA Th Shyamkumar who was at Guwahati reached Delhi today.
Works Minister Govindas Konthoujam is also at Delhi.
Of the three Naga MLAs/Ministers who would take part in the talk, Water Resources Minister Awangbow Newmai and MLA Losii Dikho left Imphal for Delhi today.
Rajya Sabha Member and titular king Leishemba Sanajaoba too left for Delhi today.
MPCC president and MLA K Meghachandra is also in Delhi and it is not clear whether he is there to attend the meeting or for some other reason.
However, not all the MLAs/Ministers who are already at Delhi and those who left Imphal during the last couple of days will take part in the talk, sources informed.
Ministers/MLAs who would take part in the talk were invited personally by the Ministry of Home Affairs through letters and direct telephone calls.
Some of the MLAs went to Delhi for personal matters. Rajya Sabha Member Leishemba Sanajaoba left for Delhi to attend a meeting of the Parliamentary Standing Committee on Labour, Textiles and Skill Development, said the sources.
Although a few Kuki MLAs/Ministers have also been invited to the talk, it could not be confirmed till the time of filing this report  whether any of them have left for Delhi or not.
Even though it could not be confirmed officially, it is being speculated that Tribal Affairs & Hills Minister Letpao Haokip, MLA Haokholet Kipgen and Paolienlal Haokip were invited to the talk.
Incidentally, Textiles, Commerce & Industries Minister Nemcha Kipgen, Letpao Haokip and Haokholet Kipgen are currently at Delhi.
MLA LM Khaute was also at Delhi but he left Delhi today.
Some other Kuki MLAs/Ministers are also said to be at Delhi but it could not be officially confirmed.
However, till late evening today, none of the Kuki MLAs/Ministers could take a decision whether to take part in the talk or stay away.  
Meanwhile, another source informed that whatever developments wit- nessed during tomorrow’s talk will be deliberated at a meeting of BJP Parliamentary Board which will be held a few days later.
As no final solution can be expected in one sitting, date and place for the next round of talk will be determined at tomorrow’s meeting.
Notably, during a function held in commemoration of Modi 3.0 Government’s first 100 days in office, Union Home Minister Amit Shah stated that a roadmap has been worked out for bringing an end to the Manipur violence and the Government was working to  hold talks with the two warring communities. CM N Biren too stated on October 10 during an inaugural function of three night shelters for construction workers that  the Manipur crisis would be resolved soon through talks.