Protest in Manipur against continuance of security forces deployment

Senapati (Imphal), June 1 (ANI): Residents of Manipur's Senapati District staged a protest on Monday against the state government's decision to continue with the deployment of security forces in region.

Carrying placards, which read 'We want Peace not War', 'We fully support Indo-Naga peace talk', 'Honourable solution on agreed principles', the protestors denounced Chief Minister O. Ibobi Singh's decision.

"Our demand to the government is withdraw the state forces from the Mao Gate which creates a lot of confusion and fear psychosis to the people and many are still displaced. They have not yet reached home due to presence of state forces," said M. Dilli, President of Naga People's Organisation.

On May 6, at Mao Gate in Senapati district, a clash between the state police and supporters of an ethnic Naga leaders, left two students killed and 50 to 60 others injured.

The people were up in arms against the state government's decision to not to allow Thuingaleng Muivah, the leader of National Socialist Council of Nagaland - Isak Muivah (NSCN - IM), to visit his ancestral village.

The Central Government has, however, said that it is looking forward to having a second round of talks with NSCN-IM leadership in Nagaland to end the stalemate over Muivah"s resolve to visit his birthplace.

The NSCN-IM had agreed to a ceasefire in August 1997 and launched a peace process with the Central Government to bring an end to the longest-running insurgency in India.

The rebel group has participated in several rounds of talks with central officials since the start of the ceasefire.

But talks between the two sides have not made progress over the rebels' main demand of unification and eventual independence of Naga-dominated areas in northeast India. (ANI)