Manipur offers truce to ultra outfits

IMPHAL, February 27: Close on the heels of the declaration of 15-day ceasefire offer by the Army, the seven-party coalition government led by Radhabinod Koijam has declared a unilateral ceasefire against the State insurgents for one month with effect from March 1 in view of Yaoshang, the biggest festival of Manipur. Announcing the newly formed People's Front Ministry's stance on the declaration of ceasefire with all the underground outfits operating in Manipur during a press conference held at MR complex today, the Chief Minister said newly inducted Council of Ministers also took a resolution in this regard. He said during the period (March 1-31), State police and other paramilitary forces deployed in Manipur will suspend counter-insurgency operations against the 17 underground outfits in this border State as part of PF Ministry's stance to solve the insurgency problem in order to bring peace and normalcy. Koijam said, "Our Ministry's first task is to initiate a dialogue with the underground outfits." He also urged the underground outfit to join the Yaoshang festival without any arms and ammunition. He added that if his government gets any positive response during the Yaoshang unilateral ceasefire, it will be extended further. The People's Front Ministry however, set certain ground rules while declaring the unilateral ceasefire. The conditions were : the insurgents should not indulge in extortions, kidnappings or killings. Besides, they should not move with arms and ammunition wearing camouflages or combat dresses. If the insurgents violate such ground rules the state authority would not remain silent but will face it in an appropriate manner. The Chief Minister also appealed to all underground groups to extend support to the government's step. He hoped that the people of Manipur will also extend support to the PF Ministry's stance. The Law Minister O Joy Singh, Industries Minister Kh Amutombi and Minor Irrigation Minister S Bira also attended the press conference.