Imphal, September 21: Union Defence Minister Pranab Mukherjee who visited the State today said that the plebiscite proposal mooted by the UNLF under the supervision of the United Nations is not possible.

Addressing the media at Leimakhong today, the Union Defence Minister while replying to a volley of posers from the media said that the plebiscite proposal floated by the UNLF is not acceptable and without mincing any word said, �This is not possible�.

The rebel group had maintained that plebiscite to be held under the supervision of the UNO is the best way to resolve the armed conflict in Manipur.

Fending off questions from the media persons, the Defence Minister said that the progress of the Army Court of Inquiry set up to establish the facts and circumstances leading to the death of Th Manorama has been put on hold as the State authorities have not responded to the call for conducting a DNA test.

The Army authorities had already intimated to the State sponsored Manorama Devi Inquiry Commission that all the personnel who took part in the operation were ready to undergo the DNA test.

�The patch of semen stain which was reportedly detected in one of the undergarments of Th Manorama should also be subjected to a DNA test to match with the test of the personnel,� said the Minister.

The civil authorities have however failed to conduct the DNA test of the semen stain as a result of which the investigation process has been stalled, added the Minister.

On the alleged intrusion of Myanmarese army into the Indian side at Molcham in Chandel district, Mukherjee said, �This is not a question of intrusion.

As you know the border is not demarcated very clearly and sometimes their troops enter our area and sometimes our troops also enter their area.

We cannot call it intrusion�.

For good effect the Minister added that border disputes can be resolved.

Responding to a query, the Union Minister said that the Army entered into an agreement of having some sort of peace and suspension of hostility with some 8/9 groups and added, �We are encouraging more and more people to come and join the truce�.

The State Government is taken into confidence on this point, he asserted and added �Our job is to help the State Government.

To supplement efforts made by the Government and if the State Government can manage the situation there is no need to deploy armed forces�.

The Minister also announced that the Centre has decided to raise four battalions of Territorial Army out of which three will from the North East including one from Manipur.

�I have discussed this with the Chief of Army Staff and we have also stepped up the normal recruitment drive to the armed forces especially in the North East States.

The four Bns will one each from Jammu and Kashmir, Manipur and Nagaland.

Some women will also be recruited so that they can contribute in protecting the Nation,� said the Union Minister.

On the Naga issue and the peace talk, the Minister said, �Nagas have their own complex problem and this has been there for the last five decades.

Hence finding a solution is time consuming�.

On his one day visit to the State, Mukherjee said, �My trip is totally devoted to the troops who are in far flung areas and who are protecting our borders.

The troops spend sleepless nights so that the others can sleep in peace�.

Chief of Army Staff General JJ Singh and some other senior Army officers were present at the media briefing.

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