Eastern Mirror Desk
Dimapur, May 23: After the Manipur government allegedly stated that there is no ceasefire in Manipur, the NSCN (IM) has retorted that the ceasefire agreement signed between the group and the government of India is without territorial limits as agreed upon on June 14, 2001.
V Horam, a member of the outfit’s steering committee, told Eastern Mirror on Thursday that the ceasefire agreement signed in Bangkok in 2001 still stands, even in the state of Manipur.
“It is inclusive of all Naga territories and Naga people; that was what was understood together,” said Horam, adding that the subject was thoroughly discussed in 2001.
Horam further explained that when Indian agencies say Nagaland, they are not referring only to the state of Nagaland but the entire Naga inhabited areas. “Due to some certain misinterpretation of Indian security forces, this issue has come up,” said Horam.
Recalling the June 18, 2001 uprising in Manipur where five lakh Meiteis took to the streets and launched a massive movement against the ceasefire, Horam said that the ‘movement wanted violence and war between Nagas and Indian armed forces to continue.’
“The ceasefire agreed upon stated that there will be no more hostility between the NSCN (IM), Nagas and armed forces,” said Horam.
He said that government of India tried to please the Meiteis by saying the ceasefire was confined only to the state of Nagaland, therefore ‘causing the misinterpretation.’
“The NSCN reject this outrightly and still sticks to what was agreed upon in Bangkok in 2001 which is ceasefire without territorial limits and we are very clear on this,” said Horam while maintaining that in every meeting with the government of India, this subject is “firmly discussed and reminded.”
