Manipur Chief Minister Okram Ibobi Singh on Friday appealed to all militant groups to come out in the open and hold talks with the government.
''Talks with the NSCN-IM are being held for the last seven years and now talks with ULFA has also started,'' he said, after laying the foundation stone for construction of the directorate of information and public relations complex at Keishampat.
However, he noted that talks with the militant groups operating in Manipur could not go ahead much due to some preconditions laid down by the central government as well as the militant groups.
While the Centre wants all talks to be held within the framework of the Indian constitution, major militant outfits like the United National Liberation Front's Chairman R K Sanayaima had suggested that a United Nations peacekeeping force be stationed in Manipur, before they would lay down arms and hold talks.
He said after complete demilitarisation of the state, a plebiscite should be done to find out what the people want.
The political decision and power can be handed over as decided by the people, he said.
Defence Minister Pranab Mukherjee, National Democratic Alliance Chairperson George Fernandes, Communist Party of India General Secretary AB Bardhan during their recent visit to the state, however, rejected the UNLF Chairman's offer.
The chief minister suggested talks without any precondition from both sides. ''The state government is prepared to help in whatever way it can do,'' he said.
State information minister and Manipur state Congress committee president Gaikhangam said the true picture of democracy cannot be seen in Manipur.
Commenting on the non-publication of newspapers on Friday in Manipur, he said all groups and parties should not disturb the functioning of the media.
''We all should strive to have a meaningful democracy and the whole concept of right to information will be meaningless if we keep on disturbing the media fraternity,'' Gaikhangam said.
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