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
