Imphal, Aug. 10 -- A high-level ministerial delegation from the Manipur government met leaders of the United Naga Council (UNC) at the Senapati district headquarters on Monday in what state officials described as a cordial and constructive start to a planned series of engagements.

The meeting began at around 11:30 am and concluded at about 2 pm. It was seen as a preliminary step towards addressing long-standing issues in the state.

However, the UNC refused to suspend its ongoing economic blockade, describing Monday's meeting as informal rather than formal and calling for more concrete action from the state government.

The state government delegation arrived in Senapati at around 11 am and was led by Deputy Chief Minister Losii Dikho an...