AGARTALA, June 6 – Tripura Chief Minister Manik Sarkar Monday said that his Left Front government was not in favour of further extending the six month tenure of the ceasefire with the National Liberation Front of Tripura (NLFT) (Nayanbasi group), an insurgent outfit which signed an agreement with the State and Central government on April 15 this year, reports PTI.
Replying to a calling attention notice brought by the Leader of the Opposition in the Assembly, Ratan Lal Nath, the Chief Minister said, according to the 'Suspension of operation Agreement' the tenure for the ceasefire was initially for six months. Sarkar said his government was not in favour of the extension of the ceasefire beyond six months.
“We want the insurgents to come overground and lay down arms within six months,” he said. Asked by Nath if legal action would be taken against the ultras involved in murder, rape and kidnapping, the Chief Minister replied "if legal action is taken against them why should ultras come to surrender."
He, however, added that those involved in crimes against women would not be spared. On April 15, the Centre and the tribal militant outfit decided on a ceasefire with immediate effect for a period of six months and to hold peace parleys in the coming days.
The decision came after two factions of the Tripura-based outfit called on then Deputy Prime Minister L K Advani in New Delhi separately and promised to abjure violence and initiate peace talks.