Home Secretary Pillai meets Nagaland Governor, Chief Minister

Imphal, May 12 (ANI): Union Home Secretary G K Pillai today met Nagaland Governor Nikhil Kumar and Chief Minister Neiphiu Rio in the wake of Manipur government opposing NSCN (IM) T Muivah's visit to his hometown.

Pillai was accompanied by Naga peace interlocutor R S Pande.

He will meet Muivah at Viswema village on the Nagaland-Manipur border later today.

Earlier, Pillai met Manipur Chief Minister O Ibobi Singh to discuss the situation in the State.

Meanwhile, the Kakching Bazaar Business Welfare Association took out a rally in support of the state government's decision to stop Muviah from entering the state.

Thousands of people, including women and children, participated in the rally and also staged a sit-in protest in the Kakching-Pallel Lamkhai market area.

All business establishments of Kakching market remained closed for the day to mark the protest.

"A rally is being organized in order to protest to end of the prolonged economic blockade called by some organizations along the National Highways 39 and 53. The economic blockade has severely affected the public, and that's why we have organized this protest rally. Our demand is to end the economic blockade as early as possible. We will not allow Muivah to enter this state," said Biren Singh, President of the Joint Non-Government Voluntary Organization.

Violent clashes between Muivah's supporters and security forces at the border town of Mao resulted in the death of two women protestors and left over 50 others injured.

Earlier, the All Manipur United Club Organisation (AMUCO) had called for a two-day shutdown in the state.

The NSCN-IM had agreed to a ceasefire in August 1997 and launched a peace process with the Central Government to bring an end to the longest-running insurgency in India.

The rebel group has participated in several rounds of talks with central officials since the start of the ceasefire.

But talks between the two sides have not made progress over the rebels' main demand of unification and eventual independence of Naga-dominated areas in northeast India. (ANI)