IMPHAL: Chief Minister Okram Ibobi Singh has hinted that if leaders of the All-Naga Students Association, Manipur (ANSAM), meet him during his visit to Chandel district on Friday, he may discuss with them ending the economic blockade on the State. He has made the offer encouraged by his success in reaching an agreement with the agitating Zomi Students Federation in Churachandpur district on Wednesday.

However, an ANSAM spokesman said Mr. Singh should first explain convincingly why he refused to hold talks with the outfit in New Delhi recently.

On the basis of the assurance given by Prime Minister Manmohan Singh to tribal MP Mani Charanamei, ANSAM suspended the 52-day old blockade on August 11. It is said arrangements were made for talks in New Delhi. However, Mr. Singh told the Prime Minister that since the blockade was a State issue he would hold talks with the ANSAM leaders in Manipur. ANSAM is demanding that the declaration of June 18 as a State integration day holiday be revoked.

Now indications are the Chief Minister will extend a formal invitation to t he ANSAM for talks in Chandel, one of the four hill districts he is visiting to assess the damage caused during the blockade. Over 20 government offices were burnt.

"Chance meeting"

On Wednesday, Mr. Singh inspected the Khuga multipurpose project in Churachandpur district, where construction materials could not be moved. There he "chanced" to meet and was closeted with the ZSF leaders.

Once the federation called off its agitation, the district administration lifted curfew.

The ZSF has been demanding an exgratia payment for 11 Zomi tribals, who were killed in counter-insurgency operations.

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