Koijam seeks ceasefire in Manipur

By Our Special Correspondent

NEW DELHI, FEB. 21. The Manipur Chief Minister, Mr. Radhabinod Koijam, today suggested that the Centre declare a unilateral ceasefire in the State and appealed to all insurgent groups operating there to come to the negotiating table.

Mr. Koijam, here to hold discussions with the Samata Party leadership, also met the Prime Minister, Mr. Atal Behari Vajpayee, today, and other Union Ministers during his three-day visit.

At a press conference, Mr. Koijam said Manipur yearned for peace and he favoured holding talks with all insurgent groups other than the NSCN-IM with which the Centre was negotiating. However, it was for the Centre to define whether a ceasefire against any group could be restricted geographically or if it has to be a general cessation valid all over.

Mr. Koijam, who was appointed Chief Minister on February 15, said he would expand his Cabinet on Friday and promised a ``compact and model'' Ministry with representation to each of the seven parties which are part of the newly-formed People's Front. While he has the backing of Mr. Nipamacha Singh, his party members would not find a place in the new Ministry.

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