Manipur needs peace for development, says Home Secretary Pillai

Ukhrul, Oct 20 (ANI): Home Secretary G.K. Pillai has said development could not take place in Manipur unless a peaceful atmosphere prevailed in the region.

He was addressing a seminar on peace and stability here yesterday.

"I know that problems arise, differences are there, but we have to sit down with mutual respect and honour, to try and find solutions to these problems. It is very essential that we discuss, and we do not create more problems for us in the future," Pillai added.

On Indo-Naga peace talks, Pillai said: "We are in process of discussion. The United Naga Council had met me in Delhi."

"They have given a memorandum, we passed it the State government. We are in the process of arranging the tripartite talks with the government of Manipur and the United Naga Council, and I am hopeful that the talks will be held at an early date and we hope to resolve the issue through dialogue," he added.

"The memorandum sought to remind the Central government about the demand of the ethnic Naga community in Manipur for an alternative administrative arrangement," he said. (ANI)