Source: The Imphal Free Press
Imphal, July 07:
The Union minister of state for home, ID Swami and additional secretary, home, PD Shenoy left Imphal today for New Delhi after completing their three-day mission to take stock of the situation arising in this state out of the decision of the Centre to extend the ceasefire with the NSCN(IM) to Manipur.
On account of various forms of protest along the Imphal airport road, despite the day-long curfew imposed today, the two Central delegates had to be airlifted from Kangla to the airport by helicopter to catch their Delhi flight.
The Union home ministry team is expected to submit its report on the Manipur situation to the Prime Minister and the Union home minister tomorrow.
During the last two days, the Central team took the view and comments of various community leaders, representatives of various organizations, pressure groups and intellectual circles on the issue of ceasefire extension, and the public apprehensions in this connection.
The team however was not able to meet representatives of the umbrella United Committee, Manipur, which is spearheading the agitation.
The UMC has ruled out any talks until the ceasefire extension decision is revoked by the Centre.
Both the Union minister of state and PD Shenoy were also witness to several forms of agitation launched by the public during the last few days in opposition to the ceasefire extension.
Before leaving today, the two men met with Manipur Olympic Association office bearers and were told that the MOA would return the Raja Bhalendra Singh trophy that the state, current National Games champion, had won in 1999, as well as all medals and sports awards won by the state's athletes, if the ceasefire decision is not revoked.
The two Central delegates on their part assured that they would met the Prime Minister and Union home minister and inform them of the people's sentiments before the PM and the home minister meet with the state's MLAs and MPs tomorrow morning.
A PTI report from Kolkata adds : Union minister of state for home, I D Swami today said he would submit his 22-page report on the Central team's assessment of the situation in Manipur to the Prime Minister and the Union home minister tomorrow.
Replying to questions during a brief halt at the NSC Bose International Airport here before leaving for New Delhi, he said there was no plan to set up designated camps in Manipur as part of the ceasefire agreement.
He said that efforts would be made to move a resolution in the monsoon session of Parliament for the protection of the territorial integrity of Manipur.
Admitting that the ceasefire stir was still on, swami said, the territorial integrity of Manipur will be protected at any cost.
The map of Manipur will not be changed.