Advani's stand on truce irks Manipur

IMPHAL, April 4: Several political leaders in Manipur have expressed reservations against Union home minister L.K. Advani's objection to the extension of the unilateral ceasefire with the insurgent groups for another month. The state government had declared an unilateral ceasefire with all rebel outfits for a month in March. The Cabinet subsequently decided to extend the ceasefire for another month as per the recommendation of an all-party meet. But the Union home ministry's objection has now led to the resumption of military operations both by the Army and Assam Rifles. However, the Cabinet is to order the state police department to join the counter-insurgency drive. Some senior Cabinet ministers in the Koijam ministry have criticised the way the home ministry was interfering in matters of the state. A Cabinet minister said the Centre was holding the state to ransom because of the ongoing financial crisis. "For every decision, we are compelled to seek the Centre's clearance because they will not release fund to the state even if we go against them," the minister said. These minister said the problem started because of differences between L.K. Advani and George Fernandes. According to him, the unilateral ceasefire was first initiated by Fernandes while he was the defence minister. But he did not take Advani into confidence. The Army first declared a unilateral truce, which was followed up by the Samata Party-led government in the state. After the exit of Fernandes following the tehelka expose, Advani tried to block further extension of the ceasefire. Even when the Koijam government first announced the ceasefire in the last week of February, the Union home ministry expressed dissatisfaction for not informing them about important decisions. Another Cabinet minister said Fernandes was very serious about the ceasefire because he was more familiar with Manipur than other leaders in New Delhi. If Fernandes continues to remain the defence minister, I think the ceasefire would have been extended as per the state Cabinet decision, he added. "Why should the state suffer because of the differences between Samata Party and BJP leaders at the Centre. The rivalry between them grounded peace initiatives launched by the state government," said another minister. Some senior People's Front leaders also expressed unhappiness over the way Chief Minister told mediapersons in New Delhi that the ceasefire "may not" be extended. "Even if Advani rejected his proposal, Koijam should not have said anything to the Press. His comments have already created lot of embarrassment for the state government", a senior PF leader said. Advani had apparently told Koijam that it was futile extending the ceasefire as none of the outfits responded positively.