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Maniur : Second stint for rebel pact |
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If everything goes according to plan, the ceasefire between the Army and eight Manipur militant groups is all set to get another six-month extension. The ceasefire came into effect on August 1.
The groups that entered into the pact are the Kuki National Organisation, the Kuki National Army, the Zomi Revolutionary Organisation, the Zomi Revolutionary Army, the Kuki National Front (Zougam), the Kuki National Front (Military Council), the Kuki Liberation Organisation and the Kuki Liberation Army.
Army spokesperson Lt Col S.D. Goswami said the agreement was likely to be extended. “The going was good during this period. We are likely to continue suspending operations against the groups. The matter is now under discussion,” the spokesman said.
Though some of the groups such as the Kuki National Army and the Kuki Liberation Army accused the security forces of violating the agreement, ethnic groups to which the armed groups belong want the agreement to continue to pave the way for holding peace talks.
The ethnic groups are worried that the Army may not extend the agreement in view of the strong opposition expressed by the state government to the arrangement. Chief minister Okram Ibobi Singh had expressed his displeasure at the manner in which the Army had reached the understanding without taking his government into confidence.
The Zomi Council, apex body of the Zomi ethnic community, on behalf of the non-Naga armed groups, has demanded the extension of the ceasefire and wants tripartite talks involving the outfits, the state government and New Delhi.
Parliamentary team visits bandh-hit areas
An 11-member parliamentary standing committee on Home Affairs, led by BJP’s Sushma Swaraj, visited Manipur on Feb. 4 to assess the prevailing situation in the state and inspect the progress of ongoing projects funded by the Centre.
The visit came while the state was rocked by violence during a 36-hour bandh sponsored by students of a minority community.
Bandh enforcers turned violent and clashed with police in Imphal East. Police burst teargas shells and exploded stun bombs in Thoubal, where bandh supporters destroyed several vehicles. Unidentified youth exploded a bomb in Imphal East district. No one was injured.
While most shops in the city were open, inter-district passenger services were suspended. However, inter-state bus services were normal.
Two government buildings were set ablaze by irate protesters in the district. They were members of the joint action committee against the custodial killing of Leitanthem Boy alias Premanda in Imphal East district.
Even as the central team was inspecting Khuman Lampak stadium in the district, protesters took out a rally demanding action against the policemen.
Gathering views on the integration of Naga-inhabited areas (including those in Manipur), as proposed by the NSCN (I-M), was high on the agenda of the Swaraj-led team that also visited the Nagaland capital, Kohima.
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