Declare unilateral truce in Manipur: Koijam

NEW DELHI, February 20: New Manipur Chief Minister Radhabinod Koijam favoured the declaration of "unilateral ceasefire" with all insurgent groups operating in the State on the pattern of Jammu and Kashmir. Koijam, who took over the reins of power in the Northeastern state on February 15, told Zee News. "My request to Prime Minister Atal Behari Vajpayee and the Government of India is that there should be unilateral ceasefire covering all the insurgent groups of Manipur even if the groups do not respond to my appeal or to the appeal of the Government of India." Ex-ministers father abducted: Armed militants have kidnapped S. Yaimabi, father of the former Manipur's Agriculture minister S. Rajen Singh from his house at Lamshang area last night, official sources said here yesterday. Sources said about ten armed militants hijacked two Maruti cars, and later stormed into Yaimabi's house in West Imphal district and kidnapped him at gun point. The former minister was not in the house as he was staying at the official residence here. Family sources said the militants kidnapped Yaimabi for ransom, but they did not disclose the details, official sources said. A massive combing operation has been launched by the security forces to rescue the kidnapped person and nab the culprits.