Manipur ceasefire under cloud

IMPHAL, March 31: Uncertainty prevails over the extension of unilateral ceasefire with militant outfits in Manipur for another month as Union home minister L.K. Advani has expressed his reservations on the issue. A final decision is likely only after Chief Minister Radhabinod Koijam returns from New Delhi. The state Cabinet had endorsed the decision to extend the unilateral ceasefire for another month taken by an all political parties meeting chaired by Koijam on March 28. It had decided to extend the ceasefire after consulting the Centre. Sources said Advani told Koijam yesterday that he was not happy with the insurgents' response to the state government's truce offer. He said the ceasefire would be futile as there was no positive response from the insurgents. The Chief Minister had gone to New Delhi to discuss the matter with the central leaders. The problem at present is that the monthlong unilateral ceasefire, which began on March 1, expired today and the government has not issued any extension orders despite the decision taken at the all-party meet and the Cabinet. It was also not clear whether the security forces would resume their counter-insurgency operations from tomorrow. Official sources said the change in the attitude of the Koijam-led People's Front government followed the reservation expressed by Advani on the extension of ceasefire. The government also could not convince the Centre on the extension of ceasefire as four major insurgent outfits have rejected the truce offer. These outfits are the United National Liberation Front (UNLF), the Revolutionary People's Front (RPF), the People's Revolutionary Party of Kangleipak (PREPAK), and the Kanglei Yawol Kanna Lup. Talking to The Telegraph today, state law minister O. Joy Singh said the final decision on the extension of ceasefire would be taken by the state Cabinet after Koijam's return. Joy Singh, who is in charge in Koijam's absence, denied reports of the home ministry objecting to the Cabinet's decision. He said Advani had told the Chief Minister that the ceasefire would have no meaning if there was no response from the insurgents. Joy Singh discussed the matter with Koijam over phone this morning. He said the Cabinet had decided on extending the ceasefire only after consulting the Centre. He said the final outcome of the discussion between the Chief Minister and central leaders would be known after Koijam's return. The state police and other security forces are yet to receive a final order from the government over the ceasefire. Joy Singh held a meeting with the state chief secretary over the issue.