The Manipur Deputy Chief Minister Gaikhangam Gangmei informed the Manipur Assembly on Friday that National Socialist Council of Nagalim (Isak-Muivah) has committed 400 serious crimes in the state during 14 years of peace talks with the union government. Meanwhile Lt Gen (Retd) N.K. Singh, chairman of the Joint Monitoring Group has stated that he cannot do anything when the state forces overrun the NSCN (IM) camp in Ukhrul district of Manipur.
Talking to reporters at Dimapur in Nagaland, the chairman said that the ceasefire is only in Nagaland and that it is not extended to Manipur. As such Manipur is not within his jurisdiction. He monitors the ceasefire in Nagaland. Though NSCN (IM) said that it was not involved in the assassination of Nganlazar Malue, member of the Autonomous District Council, Ukhrul Gangmei says that it was behind the killing. In the raid of the NSCN (IM) camp in the district 8 cadres were arrested. Illegal weapons and other documents were confiscated from the camp.
Besides, 6 captives who were detained in the camp were rescued. States forces rushed to the district to maintain law and order.
Mr. Gangmei regretted that the Naga People's Front, a Nagaland based political party which had own 4 seats in Manipur in the 2012 Assembly elections is saying that the government had clamped prohibitory orders in Ukhrul to suppress the people.
Mr. Gangmei explained that it is deplorable that the NPF is driving a wedge among the tribals and non-tribals. Prohibitory order is promulgated in most of the non tribal areas in the valley as and when the situation warrants.
Chief Minister Okram Ibobi Singh disclosed to the House that his government is in touch with the union government to see whether NSCN (IM) can be proscribed in Manipur. To facilitate peace talks, the ban order was lifted from this outfit. There have been demands to outlaw it since it was contended that it is indulging in violence taking undue advantage of the ceasefire. Some opposition members are not amused that all these decades, the government has been turning a blind eye to the existence of NSCN (IM) camps in most of the districts in Manipur.
Meanwhile, all circles are keeping fingers crossed since the 24 hour deadline set to the governor V.K. Duggal had expired. Four organisations had served the ultimatum to withdraw state forces from the district, return the seized documents. The United Naga Council had paralysed normal life in the hills with a 24 hour general strike.
Indications are that the Naga groups may resort to such general strikes.
