Source: The Imphal Free Press
Imphal, July 13:
The lives of some Naga leaders of the state who have spoken up against the extension of Centre-NSCN (IM) ceasefire to Manipur are now considered to be at risk and security to them is being tightened, according to reliable sources.
In particular, intelligence sources said, three prominent Naga politicians of the state-former chief minister Rishang Keishing, Federal Party leader Prof Gangmumei Kamei, and former tribal development minister Samuel Jendai � who have been vocal in demanding the withdrawal of the ceasefire extension, have already received threats from the Naga underground and the government is considering further tightening their security.
The sources further reported that a few Naga MLAs have already taken shelter at the 1st Manipur Rifles campus.
The CRPF personnel guarding Rishang Keishing�s residence at Mantripukhri have also been placed on alert.
Significantly, most Naga politicians who had been opposing the extension of the ceasefire to Manipur have been staying quite for the past week or so.
Intelligence sources speculate that this may be on account of threats received from the underground groups.
Apart from politicians, the intelligence sources also added that many valley-bases Naga organizations have also come under threats by the elements believed to be underground so that they are unable to speak out in opposition to the ceasefire extension.
These organizations are in a quandary today as their silence can also send wrong signals to the public agitating against the truce extension.