Imphal | The first round of talks between the Manipur government and the United Naga Council (UNC) on Monday ended on a cordial note, but failed to resolve the four-point charter of demands that has led to an ongoing blockade of national highways in the state.

The talks were held at the Senapati district headquarters, where a government delegation led by Deputy Chief Minister L Dikho and Home Minister Govindas Konthoujam met representatives of the UNC.

State government spokesperson Thokchom Radheshyam described the meeting as an “ice breaker” and said both sides had agreed to continue discussions to find solutions to the issues raised by the Naga apex body.

“Today, United Naga Council and Manipur government representatives led by the deputy chief minister and state home minister came here (Senapati) to discuss and find solutions to several issues. We had fruitful and cordial discussions. This is the first round of discussions and a series of talks will follow to find a solution,” Radheshyam told reporters.

UNC refuses to lift blockade

Despite the talks, UNC president Ng Lorho said the organisation would continue the blockade along the national highways until all four demands in its charter were addressed.

The UNC is demanding:

Abrogation of the Suspension of Operations (SoO) agreement with Kuki militant groups. Declaration of the Kuki National Front-President (KNF-P) as a terrorist organisation. Removal of Deputy Chief Minister L Dikho from office.

Arrest of KNF-P cadres allegedly involved in the killing of six Naga civilians. Lorho said the demands were discussed during the meeting but maintained that the blockade would continue until they were fulfilled.

 “We discussed with ministers and MLAs the way forward on how to bring peace. We discussed our four-point charter of demands, and we stick to it. Unless it is fulfilled, we will not end the blockade,” he said.  On the demand for abrogation of the SoO agreement, Radheshyam said the matter fell under the Centre’s policy.

“That is the policy of the Government of India. Manipur is part of India and we have to go by the policy and decision of the Centre,” he said. The continuing blockade has severely disrupted the movement of essential commodities and contributed to rising prices of several food items in Manipur.

More than 400 trucks have remained stranded near Litan along the Imphal-Ukhrul route for nearly three weeks. The prolonged halt has left hundreds of drivers and handymen struggling to access food, drinking water and sanitation facilities.

Drivers said many had been away from their homes for 20 to 22 days and had exhausted the money they had with them. One driver said they were surviving on limited supplies, including around half a kilogramme each of potatoes and onions and a small packet of cooking oil.

The Ukhrul District Drivers’ Union has provided some essential items, but truckers said shortages continued. Drivers claimed they had approached local police and the Deputy Commissioner seeking passage but had been unable to move through the blocked stretch.

The stranded drivers have appealed to both the state and Central governments to arrange safe passage for the 400-500 vehicles caught in the blockade. “We understand that there is a road blockade and a conflict situation. But the Government has a responsibility. At least these 400 to 500 vehicles should be given a safe passage to Imphal,” a driver said.

The prolonged stoppage has also created financial difficulties for the truckers, who are unable to earn while vehicle loan instalments continue to fall due. Some drivers have warned that they could hand over their vehicle keys to their union and return home if the deadlock continues.

With the UNC maintaining its blockade despite Monday’s talks, pressure is mounting on the authorities to find a separate humanitarian arrangement to ensure the safe passage of stranded vehicles and prevent further disruption to Manipur’s supply chains.