'No talks with NSCN before Manipur elections'

Imphal, Jan 18: Union Minister Oscar Fernandes today stated that talks with the NSCN(IM) may not be held till the election process in Manipur was over.

Mr. Fernandes, the leader of the team leading the Indian delegation for talks with the NSCN(IM), informed the media at the Congress office here that he and other leaders will be busy for the elections.

He further said there was information that the leadership, now in Nagaland, was keenly involved in the Manipur elections. The outfit's president Isak Chishi Swu and General Secretary, Th Muivah are now at Nagaland.

The leadership was not able to get time to meet Prime Minister Manmohan Singh in New Delhi and had gone to Nagaland recently. The United Naga Council, Manipur had also embarked on a plan to select candidates for the elections in the Naga dominated areas of Chandel, Senapati, Ukhrul and Tamenglong.

State Congress president, Gaikhangam, who is from Tamenglong, said the candidates were facing problems in the Naga dominated areas due to the pressure from the UNC. But the party will face the challenge physically and psychologically, he said.

Mr Fernandes said the Election Commission had also assured political parties that adequate security personnel will be posted at the polling stations to ensure free and fair elections and new EVMs will be used to prevent any malpractices, he said.

UNI