NEW DELHI, Jan 22 ? Rattled by the posturing of the NSCN(I-M) leaders the Manipur Government is likely to make major concessions for the development of its Naga-dominated hill districts, even as Chief Minister, Okram Ibobi Singh said his Government was open to the idea of sitting across the table with the NSCN(I-M) to discuss the problem if the Union Government allows. But the Chief Minister added in the same breath that any such meeting would possible only the I-M leaders drop the demand for greater Nagaland.
The Chief Minister accompanied by a delegation of all political parties is currently doing the round of the capital meeting all Central leaders including Prime Minister Atal Behari Vajpayee and Opposition leader, Sonia Gandhi. The delegation was satisfied with the assurance by the Prime Minister that any settlement of the Naga problem would not be at the cost of Manipur. Briefing newsmen the Chief Minister said if the Naga people living his State were having problem relating to development and economic uplift these can always be sorted out. ?We have to sit together and if there is any genuine problem we can resolve them,? he asserted.
The sudden realisation about the developmental needs of the hill district can be attributed to concern expressed by Centre and Naga leaders over the neglect of the Naga-dominated areas by Manipur Government. The issue it has been learnt has also been raised by the NSCN(I-M) leaders in talks with the Union government, which also has asked Manipur Government to urgently adopt measures to develop the areas.
Manipur Government, officials said has also been sitting on the proposal for granting autonomous district councils covering the four hill districts. The high-pitched sound being made by NSCN(I-M) leaders here about the unification of all Naga-inhabited areas has jolted the State Government forcing it to talk about developing the hill areas. Ibobi Singh also disclosed his plans about forming a joint platform with Chief Ministers of Assam and Arunachal Pradesh to oppose any move to disturb the territorial integrity of the three States. Arunachal Pradesh Chief Minister has been already contacted, he added.