Manipuris and ceasefire

Sir, - It was interesting to read `Give peace a chance in North- East' by Mr. Rajindar Sachar (July 30). He presented an elaborate scenario of the

ceasefire agreement between the NSCN (I-M) and the Centre and favoured its extension of the ceasefire beyond Nagaland. However, he missed many facts which will justify why the Manipur Opposition.

When the Centre announced the ceasefire agreement for the first time, we appreciated the move. But, we cautioned the Centre about the NSCN (I-M) demand for a sovereign `Greater Nagaland', which is nothing new. A rally was held to protest and the Centre clarified that ``the ceasefire applies and will continue to apply to Nagaland only''.

Again, the Prime Minister assured delegates of parties of Manipur on December 23, 1998, in Delhi that the ceasefire would not be extended to the areas of Manipur. Another rally was held in Imphal in September, 2000. Unfortunately, the Centre failed to realise the strong feelings against the extension.

The first objection was raised by the Government's own representative, the Assam Governor, who said that one could not expect peace by having both friends and enemies as neighbours. Because, the NSCN (I-M) cadre will have a free run of the hill areas constituting about 80 per cent of the total land while the State Government has to fight insurgency in the valley.

Is the Centre's policy of negotiating with the only insurgent group operating in the almost inaccessible jungles and not negotiating with other groups operating in the Valley justified?

R.K. Khaidem,

Imphal

Sir, - The Government's decisions and counter-decisions regarding the Naga problem clearly show its lack of seriousness in finding an amicable

solution. This raises the question whether the various Governments at the Centre since Independence have really understood the Naga problem.

Mr. S.C. Dev, former Joint Secretary in Home Ministry, once said that If India could prove its might as a strong power, not only the Nagas but the entire tribal population of the North- East would feel proud to identify themselves as Indians. This should have been an eye-opener for the decision-makers long time ago. How many years must we still lose unnecessarily in finding a solution to the problem? When will we show sincerity?

Rhanthungo T.V. Kikon,

New Delhi

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