Ceasefire extension to Naga-inhabited areas: Manipur Govt opposes move

IMPHAL, March 4: The 17-day-old People's Front Ministry led Radhabinod Koijam has strongly opposed the proposed extension of the 3-year-old ceasefire between the Centre and the NSCN(IM) to Naga-inhabited areas of the Northeast, particularly Manipur. The Chief Minister, Radhabinod Koijam who is currently in New Delhi for the Chief Minister's conference, in a statement which was made available here, said that Naga outfits have been demanding a Greater Nagaland or Southern Nagaland integrating all Naga-dominated areas of Manipur have strongly opposed the extension of the ceasefire and will, at any cost, protect the territorial integrity of Manipur, he added. He also informed the matter to the Prime Minister AB Vajpayee and Home Minister LK Advani during his meeting with them that the entire population of Manipur have since been opposing the proposed extension of the ceasefire. It may be mentioned that people from all walks of life representing various communities of Manipur had taken out two biggest ever rallies in Imphal, one on August 4, 1997 and the other on September 28 last year.