Manipur CM denies giving green signal to truce extension

IMPHAL, March 3: Contradictory to news reports, the state Chief Minister, Radhabinod Koijam has reiterated that Manipur's objection to the proposed extension of the three year-old ceasefire between the Government of India and Naga UGs, to Naga inhabited areas in the state still stands. Talking to mediapersons at the Chief Minister's secretariat, the health minister, Nimaichand Luwang speaking on behalf of the Chief Minister, who is now in Delhi, categorically denied that the Chief Minister had at any point during his talks with either the Prime Minister or the home minister gave any positive response to the Centre's proposal for extension of ceasefire to Naga inhabited areas in Manipur and attributed the reports to this effect to a misquotation by a news agency. The Union home minister, Lal Krishna Advani was yesterday quoted by a prominent news agency that the Manipur Chief Minister Radhabinod Koijam had given a 'positive response' to the proposal of the Centre to extend the ceasefire to Naga inhabited areas in Manipur and Assam. Contrary to this, a statement distributed to the media during the press conference by the Directorate of Information and Public Relations, quoted the CM as saying 'The ongoing ceasefire is exclusively between the Union government and the NSCN(IM) faction of the outfit but, not on the basis of geographical area involving other neighbouring states of Nagaland. Since the Naga outfits have been demanding for Greater Nagaland or Southern Nagaland integrating all Naga dominated areas of Manipur and other neighbouring states, the people of Manipur have strongly opposed to the extension of ceasefire and will, at any cost protect the territorial integrity of the state.' The Chief Minister is also said to have reiterated the firm stand of Manipur against the ceasefire extension and pointed out that the state has apprised the Centre of the situation time and again. The Chief Minister is also said to have informed the Prime Minister and Home Minister of the Manipur Legislative Assembly's resolution to oppose the extension of the ceasefire and also the resolution of the fortnight long public debate (participated by the Chief Minister himself) initiated by a non-political organisation, All 'Manipur United Clubs' Organisation, to strongly oppose the extension of ceasefire. The Chief Minister however added that the state government as well as the people of Manipur, will certainly welcome any move to initiate peace talks with all the underground outfits operating in Manipur and in the region by declaring a similar ceasefire for a permanent solution to the insurgency infested region of the 14orth East. Nimaichand during the press conference also reiterated that the state government wanted a lasting solution to insurgency in the state and the month long unilateral ceasefire declared by the state government in connection with Yaoshang festival is also in line with it. Nimaichand added that an all-party meeting of the state had also reiterated objection to the ceasefire extension.