Stir In Manipur Interiors As MLAs Facing Boycott Descend On Delhi

As the anti-ceasefire spreads, the Assam chief minister Gogoi alleges "motives" and demands that the ceasefire agreement be made public.

Outlook Web Desk

Updated on: 22 June 2001 12:00 am

The anti-ceasefire stir spread to the interior areas of Manipur today as the indefinite curfewin the three hill districts entered the fourth day after a few hours of relaxation whileAssam chief minister, Tarun Gogoi demanded that the ceasefire agreement be made public claimingthere might be some "motive" behind it.

In the backdrop of a crucial meeting between the union home minister, L.K.Advani and political leaders ofManipur tomorrow, Assam chief minister Tarun Gogoi said the centre's ceasefire agreement withNSCN(I-M) be made public claiming there might be some "motive" behind it.

"We want the centre to make the ceasefire agreement public as there may be some motives behind it that cango in favour of creation of a greater Nagaland," Gogoi said in DelhiOfficial sources said thousands of Nagas were shifted to other places from Imphalby para-military forces since last night as a large number left on their own.

Meanwhile, the death toll in Monday's CRPF firing rose to 14 with an injured youth succumbing in hospital lastevening.

Sources said about 3,000 people marched in a procession in interior Heirok area inThoubal district and hundreds others in different areas in Imphal districts this morningprotesting against extension of ceasefire to Manipur.

They burnt effigies of prime minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee and other central leaders with slogans 'do not breakManipur territory' and 'withdraw ceasefire'.

Sit-in protests were launched at different parts in interior areas of Bishnupur district and attempts were made tohold rallies but were foiled by police commandos.

Official sources in Imphal said thousands of Nagas were also being shifted from different parts ofImphal districts to safer places by para-military forces since last night as a large number on their own.

Meanwhile six more MLAs, including speaker Sapam Dhananjay who was severely roughed up by anti-ceasefireprotestors on Monday, today left Imphal for Delhi to join their 24 legislators to urge the central leaders towithdraw the ceasefire extension from Manipur.

In another development, an underground outfit -- Kuki national front -- for the first time opposed the ceasefireand said the central leaders should know the history of Manipur.