Source: The Imphal Free Press
New Delhi, July 30 (PTI):
Parliament today approved imposition of President�s Rule in Manipur with the Centre expressing its readiness to hold talks with any militant group which abjures violence to strengthen the peace process in the Northeast.
Winding up discussion in the Lok Sabha on the statutory resolution on the Presidential proclamation in Manipur, home minister LK Advani said that the Centre will be happy if the peace process in Nagaland was extended to more and more militant organizations in the Northeast, including the ULFA.
The Lok Sabha passed the resolution by voice vote, while the Rajya Sabha has already adopted it.
Advani said that situation in northeast deteriorated as successive governments instead of emphasizing on development merely resorted to political management.
�I hope that further concentration will now be on development�.
He said the Centre would like that the talks with the NSCN (IM) should be held inside the country instead of a third country as at present.
Government was ready to even give an assurance of immunity to the leadership of the militant outfit to facilitate talks in India, Advani said.
Despite Opposition demand for early elections in Manipur, home minister did not give any definite timeframe for dissolution of the assembly maintaining that the same would be done after normalization of the situation.
Advani said he had advised his, which could have formed the government in Manipur, not to go ahead in the prevailing situation.
The home minister said the situation in the state in the last few days has become more and more normal�.
�though we have to see that every section of the population is satisfied�.