Parliamentary guarantee for N-E States likely

By Neena Vyas

NEW DELHI, JUNE 25. Even as leaders of Manipur's political parties met this evening at the residence of the Samata Party leader, Mr. George Fernandes, who said he would pursue the ``core issue of withdrawal of ceasefire with the NSCN (I-M)'', it was indicated that the Government may be willing, if necessary, to give the stamp of parliamentary approval to its commitment to protect the territorial integrity of the northeastern States, including Assam and Manipur.

It seemed the Government was willing to consider any step, short of withdrawal of the ceasefire agreement with the NSCN (I-M), to address fears that the agreement has somehow furthered the NSCN agenda of a greater Nagaland. But any concrete decision would have to await a second round of discussions at a Manipur parties' meeting scheduled for July 8 after the return of the Union Home Minister, Mr. L. K. Advani.

Government sources indicated that the issue figured at the meeting between Manipur leaders and MLAs and the Prime Minister, Mr. Atal Bihari Vajpayee, yesterday. In fact, the Prime Minister assured them that the Government was so firmly committed to protecting the States' territorial integrity that had Parliament been in session it could have considered adopting a resolution stating this if representatives of parties in Manipur were to make such a suggestion.

The meaning of this was that the Government was not about to back out, that it could go to the extent of binding itself through a parliamentary resolution to satisfy those who were fearing that the ceasefire was a first step towards the creation of a greater Nagaland.

At today's meeting of party leaders from Manipur - this was attended by parties across the political spectrum in the State - the mood was that the ceasefire must be withdrawn, at least it should not be applicable in Manipur's territory. Mr. Fernandes, who seems to have decided to take the issue up personally, in a statement promised to ``pursue'' the matter ``at all levels.'' He also appealed to student leaders, NGOs and other organisations in the State to observe restraint and eschew violence.

The MLAs have given the Government time till July 31 to respond, the next all-party meeting on Manipur is scheduled on July 8, and the monsoon session of Parliament is to begin on July 23. The issue of a resolution could come up at the July 8 meeting.

Since all parties cutting across the political spectrum are against disturbing the boundaries of States in the northeast, and the opposition to the ceasefire agreement is restricted to this point, this suggestion could get the approval of all parties. Even the Samata Party leaders today said privately they would support such a resolution. After all, it would bind not only the Vajpayee Government but all future governments as well not to arrive at any political settlement with the Naga outfits on the basis of a greater Nagaland comprising areas beyond the existing boundaries of the State.

There is also the suggestion by the Bharatiya Janata Party and some others that the words ``without territorial limits'' mentioned in the agreement should be removed and replaced with words less likely to cause apprehensions.

While political parties are now somewhat muted in their criticism of the Government's move, organisations such as the All-Manipur Students' Union are demanding nothing less than the withdrawal of the ceasefire agreement.

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