On the wrong foot

New Delhi was clearly caught off guard by the reaction to the ceasefire extension, says Vinay Kumar.

NEW DELHI was clearly caught off guard by the angry reaction in Manipur to the extension of the ceasefire with the NSCN to other areas in the Northeast, apart from Nagaland.

As Manipur burnt and protesters took to the streets, New Delhi began to realise that the situation may not have worsened to this extent had there been no political vacuum. The absence of a popular Government in Manipur was felt. Also, the Home Ministry took note of the Samata Party's role in stoking public apprehension.

The former Manipur Chief Minister, Mr. Radhabinod Koijam, had forcefully informed the Centre that while the people were all for peace in the region they were apprehensive of the ongoing ceasefire affecting the territorial integrity of Manipur.

Though the Union Home Minister, Mr. L. K. Advani, stressed the Government's commitment to protect the territorial integrity of all Northeastern States, the articulation came after violence had broken out in Imphal.

This highlighted New Delhi's insensitivity in failing to embark upon political interaction and confidence-building measures with the States concerned before the agreement in Bangkok. The accord also failed to reject the ``Greater Nagaland'' demand of the NSCN (I-M).

Reacting to the protests in Manipur, the NSCN said the demand for a larger State and extension of ceasefire were two separate issues. After a ceasefire agreement was clinched with the NSCN (I-M) in August 1997, there was opposition to it in Manipur and the then United Front leaders had reiterated that the ceasefire was limited to Nagaland. Its extension now to all-Naga inhabited areas has touched a raw nerve in Manipur where political instability, insurgency and economic slowdown have also contributed to making the situation volatile.

The Centre's interlocutor with the NSCN, Mr. K. Padmanabhaiah, has emphasised that the basic intention of the ceasefire was to ensure negotiations took place in a peaceful atmosphere.

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Section  : Opinion
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