Manmohan asks North-East groups to come for dialogue

With the Manipur blockade by Naga outfits in recent months weighing heavily on his mind, Prime Minister Manmohan Singh on Sunday appealed to political parties and groups from the region to come for dialogue to resolve disputes.

In his address on the occasion of the 64th Independence Day in New Delhi, Dr. Singh said his government was ready to take forward every process of talks that could lead to progress in resolution of problems of the region.

“The North-Eastern part of our country has been witness to some unpleasant incident in the recent months. I would like to convey to all political parties and groups of the North East that disputes in the name of state and tribe can only harm all of us,” he said.

“Discussion and dialogue are the only options to resolve complex issues. As far as the Central government is concerned, we are ready to take forward every process of talks which could lead to progress in resolution of problems,” he said.

Noting that the government had a special responsibility towards the North-Eastern States, the Prime Minister said it would try to live up to that responsibility.

The Naga groups had recently blocked national highways for nearly two months to protest Manipur government’s decision not to allow NSCN (I-M) leader Thuingaleng Muivah to visit his native village leading to scarcity of essential commodities including fuel.