Koijam opposes NSCN(IM) truce area extension

NEW DELHI, March 5: Firmly opposing the extension of the three-year-long ceasefire between the Centre and the NSCN(IM), Manipur Chief Minister Radhabinod Koijam today demanded comprehensive ceasefire with all the outfits in the region to make the peace process "more purposeful", reports PTI. "Why not all the outfits are covered? But if you want to confine your talks with National Socialist Council of Nagaland (IM) alone at any cost it should not be extended to the Naga inhabited territories of Manipur," Koijam told reporters. Dismissing reports which suggested that Koijam and Mahanta's response "were positive" in a meeting with Prime Minister Atal Behari Vajpayee and Home Minister LK Advani, he said "that is not the case .... I rather opposed the extension." Narrating details of the March two meeting, Koijam said he told Prime Minister that Manipur Assembly had earlier passed unanimous resolutions opposing any such move. "In January at a mammoth public meeting also a consensus decision was taken to oppose extension of ceasefire with NSCN(IM)." The demand for extension of ceasefire in all Naga inhabited areas is being made by NSCN(IM). There is a general apprehension in Manipur and some other parts in the region that such an extension could give legitimate right to the group to claim territorial control over the territory where ceasefire would be in force. However he advocated peace talks with all extremist outfits operating in the region by declaring ceasefire "in the pattern of Jammu and Kashmir" to bring about a "comprehensive and wholesome peace". Stating that the peace process should not be confined to one group or be valid within a fixed geographical parameter, Koijam said any move 'should not affect the territorial integrity of Manipur". Skirting a direct reply on Prime Minister's response in the meeting, Chief Minister merely said "the Prime Minister is a matured leader who does not speak much". Koijam said that piece-meal efforts could pose some danger even to NSCN(IM) activists as "number of insurgent groups inimical to NSCN(IM) might not approve of their action". Referring to his Government's decision to announce unilateral ceasefire, he said the State cabinet on its meeting on March seven would review the latest development. "There are some responses ... some groups have indicated their willingness to talk," he claimed. He said the ceasefire announced in the State, which came into effect from March one, has been "passing through peacefully so far barring one incident where some abducted people have been set free". Replying to a question on whether China was helping the Northeast insurgent groups, the Samata Party leader said "I have my suspicions but Government of India should be having their information as well". He said China's growing overtures to the military regime in Myanmar "should be a matter of concern" for India.