Manipur’s Naga MLAs have requested that they be consulted in any arrangement for the state to ensure that the current arrangement for Naga areas is not disturbed. The current arrangement involves autonomous councils and has allowed the Nagas in Manipur to maintain a measure of autonomy and self-rule. 10 Naga MLAs recently met Union Home Minister Amit Shah in Delhi on June 7th to discuss the ongoing peace process in the state. The Minister for Water Resources, Relief and Disaster Management, Awangbow Newmai, stated that the Naga people should be consulted as part of the peace process and that any new administrative areas should not interfere with the existing arrangements.
Newmai noted that the government has assured the delegation that the Kukis, Meiteis, and Nagas- the three major communities in Manipur- will be consulted before any plan is implemented. The Nagas want to avoid war and are working to bring both communities to an understanding, to restore normalcy to the state. The Naga MLAs appreciated Shah’s prompt actions in bringing the situation under control.
