Manipur People’s Party president Sovakiran N has demanded the closure of the camps of the National Socialist Council of Nagalim (Isak-Muivah) located in some hill districts of the State. Talking to reporters on Saturday he said that it was a matter of concern that the NSCN(I-M) had celebrated its raising day in a camp in Chandel district bordering Myanmar.
He said the ceasefire between the Union government and the NSCN(I-M) was signed on June 25, 1997. The State BJP president Chaoba Thounaojam, who was present in the news conference, said that during the prime ministership of Atal Bihari Vajpayee the ceasefire was extended “without territorial limits” on June 14, 2001.
However there was protest from all sections of society and 18 persons were killed. The offensive clause was withdrawn and the Prime Minister tendered apology. Mr. Sovakiran said the ceasefire was not extended to Manipur. On several occasions, the government has been saying that there is no peace camp of the NSCN(I-M) in Manipur.
Chief Minister Okram Ibobi Singh announced that if the NSCN(I-M) general secretary Thuingaleng Muivah visit his home village in Ukhrul he would be arrested. However there has been unofficial report that some designated camps of the NSCN(I-M) are located in Manipur.
