UCM submits memo on truce coverage
Source: The Sangai Express
Imphal, June 07 2019:
In the aftermath of the expiry of 72 hours ultimatum served to the State Government and the Central Government to come out with an unambiguous clarification on the areas covered by the ceasefire agreement signed between the Government of India and NSCN-IM, a team of the United Committee Manipur (UCM) held a meeting with Chief Minister N Biren today.
Notably, the UCM served the ultimatum after NSCN-IM claimed on May 21 that the ceasefire agreement is in force within the territory of Manipur too.
On May 25, UCM held a meeting on the same matter with CAF&PD Minister Karam Shyam who represented the State Government.
The meeting held today at the Chief Minister's office lasted for one hour and 20 minutes.
During the meeting, the eight-member UCM team handed over a memorandum to the Chief Minister for submission to Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
Stating that he is fully aware of the apprehension felt by the people regarding the areas covered by the ceasefire agreement, Chief Minister N Biren told the UCM leaders that he would personally take the memorandum to the Prime Minister when he goes to Delhi on June 15 .
"I would personally asked the Prime Minister to a give definite reply to the people's question", Biren said, according to a press release issued by the UCM.
The UCM leaders urged the Chief Minister to take up befitting visible actions in case the NSCN-IM's claim is false.
Quoting NSCN-IM's claim that ceasefire agreement with the Government of India still exists in the State of Manipur, the UCM memorandum pointed out that the rebel outfit's claim not only provoked the people of Manipur but also left a blot on the face of former Prime Minister late Atal Bihari Vajpayee.
On July 27, 2001, then Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee declared to the Chief Ministers of all the North Eastern States at New Delhi that the words 'without territorial limits' inserted in the ceasefire agreement between the Centre and NSCN-IM on June 14, 2001 would be deleted and the status quo ante June 14 would be restored, the memorandum reminded.
However, frequent reports of the presence and movement of NSCN-IM cadres, and extortion, kidnapping and harassment meted out to innocent people by NSCN-IM inside the territory of Manipur only tend to affirm the rebel outfit's claim, it said.
It then demanded an immediate clarification from the Government of India regarding the areas covered by the ceasefire agreement, presence of any designated or 'taken note of' camps of NSCN-IM within the State of Manipur.
It also urged the Central Government to direct the State Government to take up appropriate steps to drive out NSCN-IM from the soil of Manipur.