Manipur MLAs, MPs serve ultimatum

By Our Special Correspondent

NEW DELHI, JULY 7. Manipur MPs and MLAs have threatened to resign their seats en masse if the Government fails to withdraw the territorial extension of the ceasefire with the National Socialist Council of Nagaland (NSCN) (I-M) by July 31.

At a press conference here today, the former Deputy Chief Minister of Manipur, Mr. L. Chandramani Singh, said political leaders and people of the State were against extension of the ceasefire to Manipur.

``We support the ceasefire with the NSCN (I-M) in Nagaland but certainly not in Manipur and other northeastern States. We demand its withdrawal from Manipur immediately,'' he said. The MPs, MLAs and other party leaders are scheduled to meet the Prime Minister, Mr. Atal Behari Vajpayee, tomorrow.

Two former Chief Ministers - Mr. W. Nipamacha Singh and Mr. Radhabinod Koijam - the Assembly Speaker, Dr. S. Dhananjoy Singh, and the BJP leader, Mr. R.K. Dorendra Singh, were also present. The MPs and MLAs have floated a forum - the Manipur MPs and MLAs Forum for Territorial Integrity, led by Dr. Dhananjoy Singh - to carry forward their struggle against the extension of the ceasefire. Describing the situation in Manipur as ``very serious'', Mr. Chandramani Singh said that violent protests had broken out because of the Centre's ``incorrect decision'' to extend the ceasefire ``without territorial limits.''

He feared that the extension would only help legitimise the designated camps of the NSCN (I-M) and the insurgent outfit, could at a later stage, use it as a ploy to demand greater Nagaland.

On the proposed meeting with the Prime Minister, Mr. Singh said a detailed memorandum reflecting the developments after the visit of the Central team to the State would be submitted. But he added the ``bottomline remains withdrawal of territorial extension of the ceasefire.''

Minister's assurance UNI, PTI report:

In Imphal, the Union Minister of State for Home Affairs, Mr. I.D. Swami, assured the people of the State that the Centre would manage to pass a resolution in Parliament on protecting the territorial integrity of Manipur. He gave this assurance to senior citizens before his departure for New Delhi.

The high-level central team met representatives of various communities, including Muslim and Naga representatives, during their three-day visit.

20 injured in lathicharge

At least 20 protestors, including six women, were injured when para-military forces and police resorted to lathicharge and fired teargas shells as thousands of protestors defied curfew and took to the streets in Imphal and across the State.

NSCN (I-M)'s warning

The NSCN (I-M) has warned that it would be forced to return to the path of violence if the Government does not fulfil its commitment relating to extension of ceasefire.In an interview to BBC in Bangkok, the NSCN (I-M) secretary-general, Mr. Thuingaleng Muivah, said there was no question of compromise on what had been agreed to in the ceasefire.

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