Mumbai, July 20: Despite Nagaland government`s withdrawal of warrants of arrest against NSCN(I-M) leaders to enable them to arrive in India to participate in formal negotiations with the Centre, Manipur government today virtually threw a spanner to the peace process saying it will not withdraw the cases against them. "We will not give up," Manipur Chief Minister Ibomi Singh, who is here to participate at north-east Chief Ministers` summit, told reporters adding the ceasefire between NSCN(I-M) and Centre was confined to the state of Nagaland only. NSCN (I-M) Chairman Isak Chishi Swu and General Secretary Thuingaleng Muivah gave a written assurance on July 11 to Prime Minister`s special emissary K Padmanabhaiah in Amsterdam that they would come to India to hold further talks.
Political dialogue between Centre and NSCN(I-M), which began in February 1997 followed by ceasefire from August that year, was held so far abroad, mostly in Bangkok and Amsterdem.

Manipur Chief Minister`s assertion assumes significance as Muivah, considered the key architect of his outfit, belongs to Tangkhul Naga tribe and hails from the hill district of Ukhrul in Manipur.
In Manipur, Tangkhul Nagas are known for love-hate relation with Kukis and Metei Manipuris, who inhabit the valley and form most of the electorate of the state.
NSCN(I-M) is allegedly involved in several ethnic clashes in the hill districts of Ukhrul and Senapati.

Bureau Report