'Centre watching situation'

By Our Special Correspondent

NEW DELHI, JUNE 19. The Centre today continued to keep a close ``watch'' on the situation in Manipur where large-scale violence has engulfed Imphal in protest against the extension of ceasefire with the NSCN(I-M) to all Naga-inhabited areas in the North-East.

The Union Home Minister, Mr. L.K. Advani said today that the day by and large passed off peacefully and remained ``incident- free''. Though no formal report from Imphal has been submitted to the Home Ministry, Mr. Advani spoke to the Manipur Governor, Mr. Ved Marwah, who apprised him of the steps being taken to restore peace.

Reiterating that the Centre was committed to protecting Manipur's territorial integrity, Mr. Advani hoped that people would see reason and give up violence. He indicated that vested interests were fomenting trouble.

Caught offguard by the violent protests in Imphal in the wake of the extension of the Naga ceasefire, the Home Ministry also took note of the reports that violence had allegedly been planned and some politicians, disgruntled MLAs and some insurgent outfits were involved in it.

A Home Ministry spokesman said that adequate police and para- military forces were available in Manipur and the State's requirements were being reviewed constantly. Manipur was brought under President's rule earlier this month and the Assembly was kept in suspended animation.

The Home Ministry is said to be examining the rather ``passive'' role of the State police in confronting the militants

as on several occasions in the recent past the policemen were reported to have surrendered their weapons without offering any resistance. With the new Director-General of Police, Mr. A.A. Siddiqui in Manipur, the Ministry is said to be keen on a thorough overhaul of the law-enforcing machinery and intelligence gathering set-up.

The Ministry is said to have taken a serious view of the incidents in Imphal where the State Assembly building and the Secretariat were set ablaze by the rampaging mob and even the security of Raj Bhavan was threatened. Police firing on protesters yesterday left about 13 persons dead and 50 injured.

Koijam plea

PTI, UNI report:

The former Manipur Chief Minister, Mr. Radhabinod Koijam, said nothing should be done hastily on the demand for resignation of MLAs in the State and felt no action should be taken that could divide the people on communal lines. Offering to resign from the State Assembly, Mr. Koijam said in a statement here that he was ready to make any sacrifice if it could help protect the territorial integrity of the State.

Clarifying doubts raised by some politicians that as Chief Minister, he had given consent to extension of the ceasefire, Mr. Koijam said the remarks of these persons were ``mischievous'' and aimed at creating confusion and misunderstanding against him.

Stating that he has always been opposed to the idea of extension of the Indo-Naga ceasefire into the territory of Manipur, he termed the remarks as ``highly irresponsible''.

Chief Secy. denies report

The Manipur Chief Secretary, Mr. Rakesh, has denied media reports that he had been consulted by the Centre on the extension of the ceasefire.

An official statement in Imphal said on Sunday last that the Chief Secretary had no authority for giving any commitment on this nor was he invited for any consultation on the issue.

Meanwhile, Mr. Marwah today reviewed the law and order in Imphal with senior police, CRPF and Army officials.

MLA critical

Meanwhile, the condition of Mr. N. Bihari Singh, MLA and former Minister, who was admitted at the Regional Institute of Medical Science hospital here, is stated to be ``critical''. Though he received 70 per cent burns, his vital body parts were not affected, according to doctors attending on him.

Another MLA, Mr. A.K. Tomba Singh, who also sustained burns, is likely to be discharged within a day or two.

MSCP pulls out

In the first political fallout of the crisis set off by the ceasefire extension, the Manipur State Congress Party(N) today decided to withdraw support from the NDA at the Centre.

The MSCP(N) vice-president, Mr. G. Joykumar Sharma, said the decision to withdraw support from the NDA was taken at an emergency meeting of the MSCP which was presided over by the former Chief Minister, Mr. W. Nipamacha Singh.

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