19 killed during Manipur ceasefire

IMPHAL, April 1: Even as the olive branch is being offered, in all, 19 persons including a six-year-old girl were killed in different insurgency and counter-insurgency related incidents during the first-ever month-long "unilateral ceasefire" announced by the Radhabinod Koijam-led People's Front Ministry to all the underground outfits operating in Manipur. The unilateral ceasefire which came into force from March 1, came to an end on Saturday without having any positive response from the underground outfits though Chief Minister Radhabinod Koijam himself has reportedly claimed of having response from two underground outfits. In spite of having a Cabinet decision to extend the unilateral ceasefire for another month starting from April 1, the state government will take a final decision whether it will be extended or not, only after the arrival of Chief Minister Radhabinod Koijam, who is currently staying in New Delhi, at the State capital.