Koijam appeals to ultras for political dialogue

IMPHAL, March 18: Manipur Chief Minister Radhabinod Koijam today appealed to the insurgents for a political dialogue while expressing hope that they would come up with 'positive response,' during the one-month period of unilateral ceasefire declared by his government on March 1 last, reports PTI. "We all love Manipur and why can not we sit together to bring solution to any problem," Koijam told PTI here. Violence would not solve any problem, he said. The Chief Minister said any issue can be settled through dialogues or negotiation and sought cooperation from various organisations, local club and associations and women's groups in the government's efforts in this regard. While welcoming the ongoing talks between the Centre and NSCN(IM), Koijam said his government and people were strongly opposed to any move to extend the ceasefire between NSCN(IM) and Centre to Naga-inhabited areas. He claimed incidents of violence had comparatively reduced in Manipur during the ceasefire period barring a few 'sporadic' extremist-related ones. The underground Revolutionary People's Front (RPF), political wing of the banned People's Liberation Army (PLA), however, rejected the unilateral ceasefire yesterday and said PLA activists attacked BSF personnel at Kangyai and Sugnu areas on March 12 and March 13 to 'show its rejection of ceasefire.' Earlier, underground People's Revolutionary Party of Kangleipak (PREPAK) also rejected the ceasefire call. Koijam said he would give top priority on maintaining law and order and bringing financial discipline in departments. During the meeting with Union Home Minister in New Delhi some weeks back he opposed the extension of ceasefire between Centre and NSCN(IM) to Naga-inhabited areas, the Chief Minister said. Referring to the recent 'sporadic extremist-related violent incidents' during ceasefire period, like the torching of 13 oil tankers along the National Highway 39 (imphal-Dimapur Road), Koijam said the government would undertake various measures to prevent recurrence of such incidents. Meanwhile, political parties of the State on Friday decided to meet on March 27 to discuss whether the government's declaration of unilateral ceasefire to all insurgent outfits for one month should be extended. Many parties endorsed the declaration of ceasefire at the March 16 meeting though some speakers reserved their views about law and order. State Samata Party President, Lohrii, state BJP president, M Bhorot Singh, CPI leader M Ibohal, CPI-M leader Shamu Singh, Manipur People's Party President, D Joy Singh, Federal Party of Manipur President, Gangmumei Kamei, State RJD president, Selkai Hrangchal, senior Congress leader Rishang Keishing and Manipur State Congress Party President W Nipamacha Singh attended the meeting.