Disobedience movement begins in Manipur

IMPHAL, JULY 19. The anti-ceasefire stir in Manipur intensified as the United Committee Manipur (UCM) launched a four-day civil disobedience movement from today with thousands of people staging sit-ins across the State, official sources said.

All nationalised and other banks remained closed. Attendance in several offices was ``thin''. A six-member UCM team is now in New Delhi, meeting Central leaders and prominent personalities to explain the threat posed by the extension of the truce to the territorial integrity of Manipur, UCM sources added.

Meanwhile, a meeting of the Committee for Maintaining Communal Harmony decided to request the UCM and the pro-ceasefire United Naga Council (UNC) to hold parleys to resolve issues thrown up by the ceasefire extension, a Raj Bhavan release said. The meeting, chaired by the Governor, Mr. Ved Marwah, on Wednesday decided to ask the UCM and the UNC to take measures for ensuring communal harmony in the State. It was also decided to ensure full protection to the minorities both in the valley and the hills to allay fears.

Nagas enter Manipur

Hundreds of Nagas drove across the Mao border from Nagaland in a convoy this morning en route to Senapati, where they plan to take out a rally in support of the truce extension, as security forces and police went on an alert in the hill district, official sources said. The Nagas drove up in 38 light vehicles and six buses at the border gate and were allowed free passage to Senapati district, about 60 km north of here, they said.

- PTI

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