NEW DELHI, May 4 � Amidst escalating tension in Nagaland and Manipur over NSCN (I-M) leader, Th. Muivah�s ensuing visit to Ukhrul, the Centre on Tuesday announced extension of ceasefire with the rival Khaplang faction.
The ceasefire agreement with NSCN-K has been extended for a further period of one year with effect from April 28. It was decided at a meeting of officials of the Ministry of Home Affairs, with representatives of NSCN-K here on Monday, an official spokesman said.
Meanwhile, a clueless Centre has summoned Chief Minister of Manipur, O Ibobi Singh to Delhi besides rushing a senior Home Ministry official to Nagaland. The official is to visit Manipur as well, in an attempt to resolve the crisis.
The Chief Minister of Manipur is expected to land in the national capital on Wednesday and meet the Union Home Minister. The Centre has also conveyed to the Naga insurgent leaders that it needed some time to resolve the issue, sources said.
The escalating tension in the two States has landed the Centre in a tight spot, even as Union Home Minister, P Chidambaram held consultations with the MPs of Manipur. He sought their opinion on resolving the crisis.
Sources said that the Centre had a couple of weeks back advised the Chief Minister of Manipur to allow Muivah�s visit to go through. The Government of India is engaged in political negotiations with NSCN (I-M) and Muivah has been by and large allowed free movement.
However, the State Cabinet later passed a resolution opposing Muivah�s visit, triggering fresh tension.
Manipur Government has conveyed that there are cases pending against Muivah in the State and the ongoing ceasefire is not in force in Manipur.
The Centre has been rattled after the Naga outfit dragged it into the controversy. A communiqu� from NSCN (I-M) describing the development as a �deliberate ploy� of Manipur Government to prevent the interaction between its general secretary and the Naga people, slammed the Centre for its silence.
Questioning the �double standard� of the Government of India in back-tracking in its commitment to the itinerary of Muivah, the NSCN (I-M) said it was a volte face by the Centre.
The NSCN (I-M) said that �fence-sitting policy� of the Government of India would lead to �uncontainable situation� and that in such eventuality the outfit should not be held responsible.
