Manipur: Tripartite Meeting on District Creation Issue Concludes with Proposal Agreement

IMPHAL: The Senapati District Headquarters hosted an important tripartite meeting between the Government of India (GoI), the Government of Manipur (GoM), and the United Naga Council (UNC).

The meeting discussed the demand for the revocation of the seven newly created districts in Manipur, an issue that has been pending since 2016.

The controversy is based on the Manipur government's Notification Number 16/20/2026 – R, dated December 8, 2016, which resulted in the formation of seven new districts. The UNC has been vociferous in its opposition to this decision, citing administrative control, land ownership, and the perceived impact on Naga-dominated areas. The council has been demanding the revocation of the notification, arguing that the districts were formed without consulting the indigenous Naga communities.

Although details of the meeting were not released, it was confirmed in an official release that all parties have agreed to submit a formal proposal in the next tripartite meeting set for April 2025. This is one step forward for the negotiations going on as in previous meetings not much had been done on this issue.

The commitment to drafting a proposal suggests that all stakeholders are willing to engage in a structured dialogue to resolve the matter.

Key figures, such as Manipur Chief Secretary Prashant Kumar Singh, Home Commissioner N. Ashok Kumar, Advisor (NE) to the Ministry of Home Affairs AK Mishra, UNC President NG, signed the agreement. Lorho, UNC General Secretary Vareiyo Shatsang, ANSAM President M. Luikang Lukson, and Naga Women's Union President Ch. Priscilla Thomas. The fact that the agreement has been signed by these key figures reflects the importance of the discussions and the attempt to reach a compromise.

The meeting in April 2025 is expected to give further clarity on the future of the seven districts and answer the questions that the UNC has raised. Since the history of the issue has been tense, the next round of discussion will be important in determining whether a viable resolution can be reached.

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