Imphal, February 03 2009: Even the NSCN (IM) has accepted the safe passage offered by the Assam Rifles at Siroy the Naga people in Manipur have kicked off an agitation demanding extension of the ongoing ceasefire between the NSCN (IM) and Delhi in all Naga areas including Manipur.

A leader of a prominent Naga social body while speaking to The Sangai Express said that the Nagas have geared up to begin a series of agitation to demand the extension of the ceasefire to the Naga inhabited areas of Manipur so as to bring a permanent solution to the decades old Naga problem.

He said that the Nagas living in Manipur ought to have the rights to enjoy the ceasefire in their birth place and countered why the truce pact cannot be enforced in Manipur.

Starting the movement Nagas numbering around 1000 demonstrated at Senapati district headquarters today, he said adding that tomorrow Naga students will hold a similar protest at New Delhi.

The protest at Senapati was held under the aegis of various Manipur based Naga civil society organisations including the United Naga Council , All Naga Students' Association, Manipur , Naga Mothers' Union, Senapati District Students' Association and Senapati District Women's Association .

SDSA's finance secretary, Peter Adani said that they are demanding the Centre to implement the IndoNaga ceasefire agreement in letter and spirit in Naga all inhabited areas, which is their right.

The new development has come barely a day after cadres of the NSCN (IM) vacated their 'camp' at Siroy in Ukhrul district following a stand off with the Assam Rifles who laid a siege on the ground that the ceasefire agreement is not enforced in Manipur.

Meanwhile the CNPO NSUC, Naga Women Union, Chandel along with its federating units staged a dharna at Chandel district headquarters today showing solidarity to the womenfolk and other villagers of Siroy village who have been keeping vigil to prevent any untoward incident as a result of the stand off between the Assam Rifles and the NSCN (IM) .

Informing this in a statement, president of Naga Women Union, Chandel Rev D Bungsot said that dharna was also intended to bring peace in Naga area and sent out the message for promotion of peace and not confrontation, to observe cease fire in the Naga areas of Manipur as well, not to break peace into pieces and call for a political solution to the armed conflict.

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