The suspension of operations by the Centre against the Kuki rebel groups of Manipur has been extended by 45 days.
The ceasefire expired on August 19.
The extension was announced after a high-level meeting attended by Union Ministry officials, including Navin Verma, and Manipur Chief Secretary D.S. Poonia. The truce agreement was signed on August 21, 2008.
Charges of violations
There had been allegations of violation of ceasefire by rebels. Chief Minister Okram Ibobi, who is also in charge of Home, had repeatedly warned that the government would back out of the ceasefire commitments if there were continued violations of the ground rules.
The Centre had also signed ceasefire agreements with the two Nagaland-based Naga rebel groups, the National Socialist Council of Nagaland (Isak-Muivah) and the National Socialist Council of Nagaland (Khaplang).
Both groups also operate in Manipur.
On June 14, 2001, the ceasefire was extended “without territorial limits” and there was protest from the people of Manipur on June 18, during which 18 persons were killed.
After this, the Centre withdrew the ceasefire extension.
