First step to restore peace has been taken : Awangbow Newmai

By Our Staff Reporter
IMPHAL, Oct 16 : Water Resources Minister Awangbow Newmai has asserted that the meeting convened at New Delhi yesterday was the beginning of the efforts to restore peace in Manipur.
Meetei, Naga and Kuki MLAs who attended the meeting convened by the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) at the National Capital yesterday have started returning to the State after holding dialogue with the Central leadership.
Awangbow Newmai and Health Minister Dr Sapam Ranjan who is also spokesperson of the Government landed in Imphal at around 1.15 pm today.
Speaking to the media upon his arrival at the Bir Tikendrajit International Airport, Awangbow Newmai, a Naga MLA, continued that the meeting was convened under the  initiative of MHA to work out a solution to the protracted crisis in Manipur.
He said that Meetei, Kuki and Naga MLAs attended the meeting and it is the beginning of a peace initiative.
To a query, the Minister responded that the meeting resolved to take equal responsibility to restore normalcy in Manipur.
Another meeting will be convened soon to find a lasting solution to the crisis engulfing Manipur, he added.
Stating that a concerted effort is needed to take Manipur to the path of peace, Awangbow Newmai added that representatives of the two warring communities were given the opportunity to meet and talk at the venue of the meeting yesterday.
The Minister said that he is hopeful the MHA will take up different initiatives to restore normalcy in the State.
On being asked about the report that Kuki MLAs held a separate meeting with the Central leadership before the commencement of the meeting, the Naga MLA said that he has no idea about the claim.
He nonetheless lauded the Centre for initiating the peace process.
It is reported that MAHUD Minister Yumnam Khemchand who also went to Delhi returned to Imphal yesterday without taking part in the meeting.
Works Minister Govindas Konthoujam and Education Minister Th Basantakumar are likely to return to Imphal tomorrow.
8 Meitei MLAs went to Delhi for the meeting