Source: The Imphal Free Press
New Delhi, July 08 (PTI):
In a bid to calm tempers in the northeast, the Centre tonight agreed to review the ceasefire agreement with NSCN(I-M), including its extension beyond Nagaland, in the wake of continuing violence in Manipur against the truce.
We shall review the ceasefire agreement including the words �without territorial limits� presently incorporated in the agreement so as to ensure that all doubts about preserving the integrity of Manipur and other states of northeast are removed, Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee said in an appeal utter a two-hour meeting with leaders of all parties from Manipur.
Vajpayee reiterated centre's assurance that the territorial integrity of Manipur will be maintained.
Briefing newsmen after the meeting, minister of state for home ID Swami said the whole agreement in its entirety will be reconsidered.
A second look will be had on it.
Centre's interlocutor K Padmanabhaiah will meet NSCN(I-M) general secretary Thuingaleng Muivah shortly to discuss the ceasefire agreement which is bilateral and being reviewed, Swami said.
Today's meeting came after the MPs and MLAs had met home minister L K Advani and the Prime Minister separately before Advani went on a foreign visit.
The earlier meetings came at the height of violence in Manipur over extension of ceasefire to areas beyond Nagaland.
The legislators had threatened to resign en masse if the ceasefire extension was not withdrawn by July 31.Asked how long it would take to complete the process of reviewing the ceasefire, Swami said we hope to complete the review within the month of July.
Swami, who spent almost three days in Imphal, today submitted his report on the situation to Advani.
In his report he had recommended a review of the ceasefire saying that the situation in Manipur was alarming.
The Centre's decision to review the ceasefire is all on the basis of our recommendations, Swami said in reply to questions.
During his stay in Imphal, Swami said he had met eighteen delegations belonging to a cross-section of people including students, youths, women (meira paibis), litterateurs and lawyers.
He said a delegation of the Naga people living in Manipur also met him and put forth their view supporting the ceasefire extension.
Asked about Advani's assurance that a resolution reiterating protection of territorial integrity of Manipur and other states of the region would be brought for passage in Parliament, the minister of state said it will depend upon the government whether it is necessary now.
I do not think it will be required now (after the decision to review the ceasefire).
The meeting got delayed by almost an hour as many of the MLAs could not reach the Prime Minister's residence on time as a large number of Manipuri students had blocked main gate of the state government guest house here demonstrating against the ceasefire.
Besides the Prime Minister, Advani and Swami, the centre was represented by home secretary Kamal Pande and government's interlocutor K Padmanabhaiah.