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Manipur not to drop cases against NSCN (I-M)

Manipur's Congress-led government is in no hurry to facilitate a smooth "homecoming" for Naga insurgent leaders Th Muivah and Issac Chisi Swu despite the Centre allowing the ban on the National Socialist Council of Nagalim (I-M) to lapse on November 26.

Muivah and Swu are likely to travel to India in mid-December to hold talks with the Centre on the long-standing Naga issue.

Manipur Chief Minister O Ibobi Singh told an Imphal newspaper: "Though the Centre has allowed the ban on the outfit to lapse, the state government will not withdraw any of the cases pending against the outfit and its leaders. There is no question of the state government considering any move to lift the ban on the underground group."

People in Manipur have been apprehensive about the peace talks between the NSCN (I-M) and the Centre since there is a feeling that the Naga outfit has territorial ambitions, including the merger of some of Manipur's areas into "greater Nagaland".

In June 2001 there was violence in Manipur following the Centre's decision to extend the ceasefire with the NSCN (I-M) to other parts of Northeast.

Reacting to the Centre's decision to allow the ban on the outfit to lapse, the United Committee Manipur, a powerful organisation, has reiterated its stand. UCM president Sapamcha Jadumani has said: "Although the UCM welcomes the peace process between the Government of India and the NSCN (I-M), we will oppose any move to compromise with the territorial integrity of Manipur."

He said the state government should also extract an assurance from the Centre that the NSCN (I-M) will not indulge in any unlawful activities in Manipur.