Source: The Sangai Express
Gangtok, June 28:
Senior Samata Party leader George Fernandes today said the recent trouble in the North East over the extension of Centre-NSCN (IM) ceasefire to areas outside Nagaland was not unexpected.
�For those who know the North East, it was obvious that any announcement of this nature would lead to a backlash� the former Defence Minster told reporters here.
The Samata leader maintained that violence in Manipur, following extension of ceasefire to the State�s territory, was spontaneous and not inspired (by someone).
The senior leader referred to a rally organized by Meiteis and Nagas in Manipur nearly six years back to tell everyone that nay compromise on border was not accepted by the.
That rally was the �biggest of its kind in the North East�, he said.
In 1997, when a ceasefire was agreed between Centre and NSCN (IM), an all party delegation led by Rishang Keishing from Manipur visited New Delhi to �emphasize� that both the ruling and opposition members of the State did not want any �interference� with the State�s border, he said.
Asked whether the Government took the decision (of extension of ceasefire to Manipur) despite knowing all these factors, the former Union Ministers kept silent.
Fernandes said Prime Minister A B Vajpayee, Union Home Minister LK Advani were dealing with the situation and many Manipur legislators, parliamentarians, former Chief Ministers have met with the both ruling and opposition parties in New Delhi to discuss the issue.
Asked how the impasse could be solved, Fernandes said answer was blowing in the wind and the Union Government was wrestling with it (answer).
The Home Minister was now out of the country and the Prime Minister busy with the preparation for the forthcoming summit with Pakistan President.
So the Government will take a little time to sort it out, he said.
However, both Vajpayee and Advani assured the Manipur leaders that the State�s integrity would remain intact, he emphasized.
Senior Samata leader Jaya Jaitley, who was accompanying Fernandes in his visit to Sikkim, said the feeling of people in Manipur on the issue was �very strong�.
Perhaps everyone had expected it (the reaction) will be �non-violent�, she said referring to the recent incident in Manipur.
Fourteen people were killed and scores injured in the June18 uprising.
The protestors had brunt down a number of government offices including the State assembly and the Chief Minister�s Secretariat.
Two MLAs sustained grievous burn injuries in the fire at the Assembly precinct.
Replying to another question, the former Union Minister who resigned from the Cabinet in the wake of Tehelka.com expose evaded a direct reply on the issue.
�Since a commission of enquiry is ordered, please wait for its outcome.