No serious violation of ceasefire: Manipur CM

IMPHAL, March 19: The Chief Minister Radhabinod Koijam today said extortion, kidnapping, killing, movement of insurgents with arms and/or in combat uniforms and attacks on police/ security forces would be treated as breach of the ground rules of the ongoing unilateral cease-fire announced by his Government. Giving a statement in the Assembly he said the Cease-fire Monitoring Group (CMG) held its first meeting on March 17 and it was noted that except for the "burning of 15 oil tankers by insurgents near Karong on March 8, there has been no serious violation of cease-fire so far. He said the meeting felt that both the State police and other security forces on the one hand and the insurgent groups on the other hand need time to adjust and respond to the changed environment. Stating that the people have suffered for too long, "There have been several incidents of killings, extortions by various insurgent groups are common. We are all affected by this malaise. The Government has therefore taken this bold initiative and is hopeful that with the support and cooperation of this august House and all political parties, we will achieve a breakthrough in our endeavors to restore normalcy and bring peace and development to our people," he said. The Chief Minister said the Council of Ministers met on February 27 to review the law and order situation and noted the announcement of unilateral cease-fire by the army authorities for 15 days. The Council of Ministers after a detailed discussion with the State police, CRPF and BSF officers decided to declare a unilateral cease-fire for one month from March 1, he said.