Manipur Chief Minister Okram Ibobi Singh said on Tuesday that he was ready for talks with the United Naga Council (UNC) to end the three-month-long economic blockade which has crippled normal life. He also accused the BJP of having a “tacit understanding with the UNC” and said the saffron party’s “gameplan” will fail in the March elections. The land-locked State is witnessing an indefinite economic blockade by UNC since November 1, 2016 against the State government’s decision to create seven new districts by splitting the existing ones and upgradation of Sadar Hills to a full-fledged district. Asked why the matter was not discussed with the UNC before creating new districts, Singh said, “We tried to discuss, but they were not listening. We had to sit together but they did not respond when we invited them (for talks)”.
