Centre may announce ceasefire in Northeast

NEW DELHI, March 10: The Centre is likely to announce ceasefire in Northeastern states to create an atmosphere conducive for talks with insurgent groups, and to restore peace in the region. Officials said despite differences of opinion among Chief Ministers of the Northeast, the Centre is firm on extending ceasefire in all Northeastern states. The announcement will be made after discussing with the Union defence minister, George Fernandes, and approval of the Cabinet committee on security. The Chief Ministers of the Northeastern states met the Prime Minister, Atal Bihari Vajpayee and Union home minister, LK Advani, separately during the past week and expressed their views on ceasefire. There were differences of opinion among the Northeast leaders on extending ceasefire to the entire region, especially Naga-dominated areas. "The government is examining their opinions, and is likely to announce its decision," officials said. While Assam Chief Minister, Prafulla Kumar Mahanta, favoured extension of ceasefire in the entire region, Manipur Chief Minister, Radhabinod Koijam, expressed his reservations. "I am not in favour of such kind of extension. I have given my opinion to the Prime Minister. It is up to him to decide," he said. Some Chief Ministers expressed reservations on adopting selective methods for holding talks with insurgent groups, including the National Socialist Council of Nagaland (Isak-Muivah). Vajpayee was informed that beside NSCN(IM), 11 major militant groups were operating in the region, and the government should also invite them for talks.