Manipur CM extends truce by a month

IMPHAL, March 27: A meeting of all political parties here today decided to extend the ongoing unilateral ceasefire with all militant outfits by another month. The meeting was convened by Manipur Chief Minister Radhabinod Koijam. The meeting authorised the Chief Minister to constitute a committee to frame a strategy for approaching the insurgent outfits to start talks. The committee is expected to work out all the details with regard to the peace process initiated by the People's Front government. The state Cabinet is likely to take a decision on the extension tomorrow. After being sworn in as Chief Minister on February 15, Koijam announced a unilateral ceasefire with all rebel outfits operating in Manipur for a month from March 1. The unilateral ceasefire was declared as a goodwill gesture to insurgents on account of the Yaoshang (Holi) festival. A day before the government made the announcement, the Army had already declared a 15-day truce with all rebel outfits. Sources said the government will now inform the Centre on the all-party meet. The Army and paramilitary forces would also be informed about the decision. The government will first inform the Union home ministry for its clearance of the extension of the unilateral ceasefire for another month. Two insurgent outfits - the People's Revolutionary Party of Kangleipak (PREPAK) and the Revolutionary People's Front (RPF) - have already rejected the state government's truce offer. However, the all-party meet decided to extend the ceasefire so as to give "peace a chance". Following the ceasefire declaration, Koijam had chaired a meeting of all political parties in the second week of this month. The meeting had endorsed the government's decision and then agreed to meet to study the feasibility of a further extension. Leaders from the Samata Party, the BJP, the Congress, the Manipur People's Party, the Nationalist Congress Party, the Janata Dal (Secular), the Janata Party, the CPI, the CPM, the RSP, the Federal Party of Manipur and the Manipur State Congress Party participated in the meeting. Prominent leaders who attended the meeting included three former Chief Ministers - Rishang Keishing, W. Nipamacha Singh and R.K. Dorendra Singh.