Manipur outfit turns down ceasefire offer

IMPHAL, March 20: The banned Revolutionary People's Front - the political wing of the People's Liberation Army - has rejected both the government and the Army's ceasefire offer. The RPF said it would continue its struggle until the Centre ends its "colonial rule" in the state. Another rebel outfit, the People's Revolutionary Party of Kangleipak, had earlier rejected the ceasefire offer. Both outfits are constituents of the Manipur People's Liberation Front. The outfit's rejection comes a day after Governor Ved Marwah announced the setting up of a contact group to liaison with insurgent outfits of the state. In his address to the Assembly yesterday, he said the group would comprise eminent persons who will establish contact with the outfits before formal talks begin. The Radhabinod Koijam-led government had announced a unilateral ceasefire with all militant groups operating in Manipur during the month of March on account of Yaoshang (Holi). The Governor's said it would not be easy for the insurgent groups to respond immediately to the unilateral ceasefire and appeal for talks. He said steps have been taken to involve all political parties in the process of ushering in peace and development in the state. "The people have suffered for too long. My government is committed to break the impasse and strive unitedly for restoration of peace and normalcy," he said. Marwah hoped that the people would respond favourably and support the government's stand. The response from the rebels to the government's unilateral ceasefire has not been satisfactory though the Chief Minister claimed that there have been no serious violation of the ground rules. Chief of the RPF's communication and publicity department, M. Lalhaba, however, termed the truce a meaningless exercise.