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Centre keeping a watch
on situation in Manipur

Joint Secretary in Union Home Ministry G K Pillai has said that the Central government is closely monitoring the law and order situation in the northeastern state of Manipur.

Addressing a press conference on Thursday in Imphal, he emphasised on accelerating the pace of development and said good governance and devolution of power to autonomous councils and local bodies was the needs of the hour.

Asserting that funds were not a problem for executing development projects, Pillai deplored that neither the state government nor any public organisation had so far approached the ruling National Democratic Alliance government at the Centre with concrete development plans.

Asked about the progress of talks between the Centre and the National Socialist Council of Nagaland NSCN (IM), he said although some minor differences persisted on framing of ground rules, cease-fire between the two sides had visible impact in Nagaland and talks were on to find out a lasting solution to the problem.

The Central government would welcome declaration of cease-fire by other militant groups of the northeast and it would not set any precondition for talks with such outfits, he added.

Pillai said that in view of improvement in law and order situation in Nagaland, the government had decided to abolish the restricted area permit system from the whole of the state.

The Central government is contemplating to bring about constitutional amendment debarring the government from fresh demarcation of state boundaries without the consent of concerned state governments, he indicated.

The government had no proposal to disturb the existing territories of any of the states in the northeast, he clarified.

Pillai expressed concern over nexus between militants and some politicians and said the Centre was probing the matter.

The Centre would welcome a judicial inquiry into the massacre of ten civilians at Malong on November 2, he said.

UNI

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