An agreement with the United People’s Democratic Solidarity (UPDS) outfit of Assam is likely to be signed soon. Talks with ULFA is underway. The Union Home Minister P Chidambaram is slated visit Guwahati on November 3 to discuss the situation with the Chief Minister, Tarun Gogoi.

The blockade of two national highways leading to and leading out of Manipur entered 93rd day on Monday. This scarcity of essential items in the state and prices have shot up abnormally. The price of cooking gas which cost about Rs 400 has gone upto Rs 1650 per cylinder, petrol which costs Rs 50 per litre has gone upto Rs 120 or more in the black market.

The Union Government is eagerly waiting for the recommendations of the District Reorganisation Committee appointed by the Manipur Chief Minister.

The Kukis are demanding that the Kuki-dominated Sadar Hill area in the Naga-majority Senapti be carved out as a separate revenue district. This has resulted in ethnic clashes between Kukis and Nagas. The Metis are also opposing carving out of a separate Kuki district.

“The Manipur Chief Minister, O Ibobi Singh has formed a District Reorganisation Committee to suggest the State Government. We are waiting for the recommendations of the Committee. After the panel gives its recommendations we will ask the State Government to act upon it,” said the Union Minister for Home Affairs, P Chidambaram.

The highways Imphal-Dimapur-Guwahati (NH 39) and Imphal-Jiribam-Silchar (NH 53) continued to be blocked since August 1. This has resulted in suffering for a population of 27 lakh in the state which is spread over 22,327 sq km.

A spokesman of the Sadar Hills District Demand Committee (SHDDC) said a 48-hour bandh has been called on Monday in Senapati, Ukhrul, Tamenglong, Chandel and Churachandpur districts.It would be followed by an indefinite general strike and bandh in the Sadar Hills in Senapati district till the government agreed to its demand, .

Chidambram said that the first round of talks with ULFA which took place on October 25 was fruitful and constructive. “They have put up certain demands and we have sought some clarification,” he said and added “if the militants surrender we will ask them to lay down their arms, but there may be some agreed conditions.”

On October 14 the Union Government has issued policy guidelines on employment of surrendered militants.

A review committee meeting on monitoring of ceasefire with NSCN/KK took place on October 10. On October 13-14, tripartite talks were held with DHD/N and DHD/J for finalisation of the Memorandum of Settlement.

On October 14, the Union Government released Rs 10.30 lakh to the North Eastern Police Academy (NEPA), Shillong for the purchase and installation of a 125 KVA DG set.

Chidambaram also informed that his ministry official had a meeting with the Chief of General Staff of the Myanmar Army on October 15 and discussed security related issues.

Along India-Bangladesh Border 10 km of fencing and 20 km of road works were completed in October, this year under phase II of the project and 25 km of fencing were also replaced under phase III of the project. Poles for floodlighting were erected on a length of 100 km and cables were laid on 50 km stretch in October, 2011.

Construction of 23 roads totaling 700.00 km is in progress along India-China border. During the month, 32.86 km of formation works and 64.87 km of surfacing works were completed. So far, a total of 424.02 km of formation works and 136.56 km of surfacing works have been completed.