Imphal, July 03: Expressing strong resentment over the Centre�s indifferent opposition to the coverage extension of the Naga ceasefire, two eminent personalities, Padmashree MK Binodini and Padmashree Ratan Thiyam have decided to repudiate the prestigious Padmashree Awards conferred on them by July 8 if the Centre fails to take up necessary steps to check breaching of the State boundary.

Announcing the decision Padmashree Ratan Thiyam, a theatre personality of international acclaim told a joint press meet at he prefecture of the Chorus Repertory Theatre.

Samushang today that the India-NSCN (IM) ceasefire area was extended to Manipur as the Centre had neglected the age old Manipuri civilization and history.

�Indian political leaders and bureaucrats do not study our history as such the inner sentiment of our people are not felt to them,� he said and added that this is the reason why the Government of India does not heed to the voice of the people of the State.

He criticized that the Centre gave a prompt reaction to the arrest of former Tamil Nadu Chief Minister M Karunanidhi by convening a Union Cabinet meeting while the same was lacking in the case of Manipur.

It may be mentioned that no meeting of the Union Cabinet was convened on the situation arising out of the extension of the Naga cease fire to Manipur.

Ratan said that Manipuris had been opposing the cease-fire area extension for the last four years and fourteen persons have even sacrifised their lives in the spontaneous uprising against the move on June 18.Even at this juncture, the Centre has not taken the matter seriously, he charged.

Ratan also termed the Centre�s decision to extend the truce taken without consulting the people as an immature political step.

The Padmashree Awardee also regretted the Centre�s decision to deploy additional security forces to contend the situation arising out of the ceasefire extension.

Stating that such a move will ignite the already volatile situation, he warned the Centre the issue might out of hand if it fails to heed to the repeated voice of people.

�The issue of extending the boundary of the ceasefire to Manipur is a question of preserving our identity�, he added.

Disowning the recognition given to him by the Government of India by conferring the Padmashree Award in 1989, the former director of the National School of Drama asserted that his decision came naturally as the Centre had failed to feel the pulse of the people.

If the Centre recognizes our contributions, it must also hear to our voices too, he added.

�I can�t bear the attitude of the Centre towards the people of Manipur.

My decision will be intimated to the President of India in two days time and necessary action (disowning the award) will be taken up within July 8�, he further said.

MK Binodini, renowned writer who was conferred the Padmashree title in 1976 regretted she could no do much due to her old age.

�My love for Manipur is boundless.

However what can I do except disclaiming the title (Padmashree) conferred to me by the President as a show of my dissatisfaction with the Centre�, lamented the 80 year old literary figure.

Stating that certain past mistakes had resulted in the present situation, Binodini expressed regret that the Centre has under mined the age old history and civilization of Manipur.

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