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07/31/2006: "NSCN-IM may extend ceasefire for unlimited time By IANS"

NSCN-IM may extend ceasefire for unlimited time By IANS Monday July 31,
Guwahati, July 31 (IANS) In what is clearly a positive development, Nagaland's leading separatist group is contemplating extending a nine-year ceasefire till a peace pact is signed with New Delhi to end decades of insurgency.
Central minister Oscar Fernandes and New Delhi's main peace negotiator K. Padmanabhaiah are currently meeting leaders of the National Socialist Council of Nagaland-Isak Muivah (NSCN-IM) in Bangkok.
The talks, which began Saturday, were aimed at extending the ceasefire that expires later Monday. 'There is a proposal to extend the ceasefire without any time limit and carry on with the truce as long as the talks continue,' a senior NSCN-IM leader told IANS.
'We are discussing this proposal although we cannot say for sure what happens when we meet the Indian government team for talks later Monday.'
A joint statement is expected to be released later Monday at the end of the talks, detailing the agreements reached between the two sides to carry forward the peace process.
The NSCN-IM, led by guerrilla leaders Isak Chishi Swu and Thuingaleng Muivah, threatened last week not to extend the truce and accused the Indian Army of covertly supplying weapons to a rival outfit to provoke a 'fratricidal war'.
The main NSCN-IM wants a 'Greater Nagaland' to unite 1.2 million Nagas, by incorporating slices of Naga-inhabited neighbouring states, into Nagaland. The other states strongly oppose this. NSCN-IM leaders in Bangkok were insisting on the need to have a separate Naga Constitution, independent of the Indian constitution.
'We cannot accept the Indian constitution although we are not totally opposed to having some important sections of the Indian constitution incorporated in the Naga constitution,' the rebel leader said. India and the NSCN-IM have held at least 50 rounds of negotiations in the past nine years in a bid to end one of South Asia's oldest revolts, which has claimed around 25,000 lives since New Delhi's independence in 1947.
Consensus in sight on Naga framework Hopes float on NSCN insurgency coming to end Bharat Bhushan Bangkok (Courtesy of The Telegraph).
Nine years after they entered into a ceasefire agreement, Indian and Naga negotiators have agreed on a broad framework to define a relationship that could end the Naga insurgency.
The operative part of the framework proposes that the two sides jointly analyse the Indian Constitution to decide which parts of it will apply, not apply or apply with modifications to the Nagas. This is, however, proposed to be done only after agreeing to the basic principles underlying the framework.
“We think this is a good start,” said Thuingaleng Muivah, general secretary of the National Socialist Council of Nagalim (Isak-Muivah). He, however, pointed out that both sides still had some problems with the framework. The two sides began informal discussions today, addressing these reservations to refine the framework. The framework itself is the brainchild of Michael Van Walt, the Dalai Lama’s legal adviser and head of the Dutch NGO Kreddha.
While one part of the framework specifies the underlying principles, the other deals with the procedure of defining the relationship.
Among the basic principles that have been proposed is that the relationship would be “new and unique”, recognising the uniqueness of Naga history; that it would be based on asymmetric federalism (different from that existing between any Indian state and the Union); and that all elements of the relationship would be defined by an agreement between the two sides. While the agreement would set out the division of competencies between the Union of India and Nagaland, its substantive details would be incorporated within the Constitutions of both India and Nagaland.
The settlement would be reached after analysing the structure of the Indian Constitution to demarcate subjects or competencies to be managed separately by the Centre, by Nagaland and jointly by both of them.
A separate Naga Constitution has been proposed, which would make “a reference to the Constitution of India”. The Constitution of Nagaland would be set “within the framework of the Constitution of India” and it is proposed that this would be done “in a separate chapter”.
These principles, proposed by Kreddah, have not been accepted by the Indian negotiators yet. The NSCN (I-M) also sees in them an attempt to incorporate them within the Indian Union. But both sides seem keen to take the process forward by finding a common approach. “Notwithstanding the government of India’s reservations, the only way forward is this framework,” insisted a source. Indian negotiators are objecting to the repeated reference to the term “new and unique” while describing the relationship, saying that calling it “unique” should be enough.
They do not want “asymmetric federalism” to be accepted as a principle as it would amount to prejudging the outcome of the negotiations. Their strongest objection is to the statement that the Naga Constitution would make a “reference” to the Indian Constitution. “What does reference mean? This must be changed,” an Indian negotiator said.
The Indian side is being led by Union minister of state Oscar Fernandez. It comprises minister of state in the Prime Minister’s Office Prithviraj Chauhan, Union minister of state for home S. Raghupathy and Prime Minister Manmohan Singh’s special representative K. Padmanabhaiah. The team, quite understandably, wants to emphasise the operative part. The Nagas do not want to give up on the principles.
“The two sides should start with the exercise of analysing the Constitution Article by Article to see what will apply, not apply or apply with modification to the Nagas. Then we can decide where to put what applies to the Nagas — in a separate Constitution, in a separate chapter or annexure to the Constitution or in an expanded Article 371 (A),” a source said. The NSCN (I-M) wants a separate Constitution while Delhi wants to push for expanding the existing provisions.
“To accept a discussion on all issues is realistic on India’s part. Whatever is acceptable, we will accept. Whatever is not acceptable, we will not. But to start with the framework is not bad,” Muivah asserted.
NNC fires back at NSCN-IM Nagaland Post
DIMAPUR, JULY 30 (NPN): Taking strong exception to the labeling of the NNC as a "dead organization" by a senior NSCN-IM leader, the NNC asked if such was the case, then why did the present NSCN-IM general secretary Th. Muivah made AZ Phizo as president of both the NNC and FGN on August 16, 1976 and why Muivah himself held the post of general secretary NNC, till January 31, 1980?
It may be mentioned that earlier, K. Tsuzu, steering committee, NSCN-IM, in a rejoinder to a press statement 'The NNC does not belong to Nagalim' by L Palang Khiamniungan of the NNC, had alleged that NNC had become a dead organization after the signing of the Shillong Accord (1975). Tsuzu had also alleged that it was the Accordists who pulled Phizo down. Reacting to Tsuzu's allegation, Palang in a press statement said if the NSCN-IM thought the NNC as dead, then for what reason and purpose the NSCN-IM was fighting against the NNC since 1980.
Palang also quoted Muivah's speech on January 25, 2005, at Hebron Camp- "It is the NNC that gave us leeway, not me nor Isak. It was the NNC, it was Phizo. And who can deny that the NNC laid the foundation."
Contradicting Tsuzu's statement that the killing of NSCN men on September 27, 1980, was the first event of killing among the Nagas, Palang asked who was responsible for the killing of Brig Ngamleo Konyak in 1975 in Kachinland, the deaths of NNC/FGN leaders in 1979, the burning down of Khiamniungan villages and torture their people in 1980.
The release also stated that if the NSCN-IM thought that Shillong Accord was the main factor for division among Nagas, the NSCN-IM has to clarify its alleged involvement in India elections and demand for federal relationship with India. It further alleged that the NSCN-IM had violated the Lakhuti Resolution besides given up its stand on sovereignty.
Naga bodies react to K threat, endorse peace process Newmai News Network
Imphal, July 30 : The United Naga Council (UNC), the Naga Women Union Manipur (NWUM) and All Naga Students Association, Manipur (ANSAM) today said that it is the unanimous stand of the Naga people in the "present state of Manipur" to support the peace process of the rightful Naga cause.
UNC, ANSAM, NWUM and NSF are not working at the behest of NSCN (IM) as alleged by the NSCN (K) Zeliangrong Region, said the statement of the Naga frontal organisations.
The joint statement made available to Newmai News Network by UNC president KS Paul Leo, NWUM president Grace Shatsang and ANSAM president Paulhring Lang-hu said that the Naga Peoples Convention (NPC) held on November 4, 2005 at Taphou Naga village in Senapati under the aegis of the United Naga Council (UN-C) was the conclave of the Naga people necessitated by the ‘peoples will’ to protect the identity and history of the Nagas and to realize the resolute aspiration to unify the "arbitrarily demarcated Naga homeland by the alien forces".
The reaction came following the statement of the NSCN (K), Zeliangrong Region warning of 'strong action against any civil organisation which bacame a partner in the campaign to adopt the books prescribed by NBSE located in the four hill districts of manipur'.
The NSCN-K also accused the UNC, ANSAM, NSF and NWUM as acting at the behest of the NSCN-IM. The Naga organisa- tions then said that it is the resolute stand to shoulder the responsibililies of the Naga people's aspiration and added that the Naga frontal organizations are just carrying out its NPC declaration for non pay-ment of hill house tax and the school affiliation to NBSE "as desired by the Naga people" adding that "the Nagas in the present state of Manipur" firmly support the early negotiated potitical settlement and the peace talks "beca-use peace is universal".
The statement recalled that the Naga people restrained themselves when the "anti Naga ceasefire" agitation took an ugly turn in Imphal valley in 2001.
"It was attempted to sabotage the Nagas' struggle for self determination. It was also designed to deny the physical existence of the Nagas. The Nagas were provoked but the ceasefire extension to the Naga areas and peace is inevitable to establish cordial atmosphere in the region", it cited, and termed the threat of the NSCN-K, Zeliangrong Region as unfortunate.
Further, expressing concern over the notion that Naga frontal organisations are working at the instigation of NSCN (IM), the statement pointed out that they are not swayed by any pressure saying that the Naga peoples support to the ongoing peace process is to create peaceful environment in the Naga areas as well as in the region.
While appealing all concerned not to implicate the factional conflicts and ideological differences to the mass based organizations, the Naga bodies hoped that factions shall create understanding among them- selves to work together to pursue the Naga aspiration.
"The unjustified declaration to award capital punishment to any Naga indivi- dual(s) and civil organiza-tion(s) who are shouldering to strengthen the universal peace is detrimental for the Naga people.
Naga groups deny NSCN (IM) link The Morung Express
DIMAPUR, JULY 30 (MExN): Naga organizations such as the UNC, ANSAM and the NWUM sought to dispel any “misgivings and irrational assumption” that their groups including the NSF were working at the behest of the NSCN (IM).
Through a joint release issued by their respective Presidents KS Paul Leo, (UNC), Grace Shatshang (NWUM), and Paulhring Langhu (ANSAM), the organizations declared their resolute stand on the shouldering of the aspirations of the Naga people.
According to the release, “The Nagas in the present state of Manipur firmly support the early negotiated political settlement and the Peace Talks, because peace is universal. The Naga frontal organizations is just carrying out its NPC declaration for non-payment of hill house tax and the school affiliation to NBSE as desired by the Naga people.”
The release stated that “the Naga Peoples Convention held on November 4, 2005 at Taphou Naga village under the aegis of the United Naga Council (UNC) is the conclave of the Naga people necessitated by ‘peoples will’ to protect the identity and history of the Nagas and to realize the resolute aspirations to unify the arbitrarily demarcated Naga homeland by the alien forces.
It was further mentioned that “the Naga people restrained themselves when the anti-Naga ceasefire agitation took an ugly turn in Imphal valley in 2001” and that “it was attempted to sabotage the Nagas’ struggle for self determination. It was also designed to deny the physical existence of the Nagas. The Nagas were provoked but the Ceasefire extension to the Naga areas and peace is inevitable to establish cordial atmosphere in the region.”
The organization leaders termed as unfortunate and far from the truth the allegation by the NSCN (K) Zeliangrong Region that they were working on the instigation of the NSCN (IM). Vowing not to be swayed by any pressure, they added that the Naga people’s support for the ongoing Peace Process was to create peaceful environment in the Naga areas as well as in the region.
They hoped that factions would “create understanding among themselves to work together to pursue the Naga aspiration. It is the unanimous stand of the Naga people in the present state of Manipur to support the Peace Process of the rightful Naga Cause.”
“The Naga people earnestly appeal all the concerned groups under this circumstance not to implicate the factional conflicts and ideological differences to the mass based organizations.”
On the declaration to “award capital punishment to any Naga individual(s) and civil organization(s) who are shouldering to strengthen the Universal Peace,” the organizations termed this as unjustified and “detrimental for the Naga people; violence against our Naga brethren cannot enhance the struggle movement to achieve our political objectives.” The Naga Organizations offered to resolve any misunderstanding through peaceful means.
India-NSCN-Talks Guwahati, India, IRNA Islamic republic news agency
Peace talks to extend a ceasefire between a frontline separatist group in India's northeast and New Delhi's emissaries scheduled Friday in Bangkok has been deferred by a day, a rebel leader said. Leaders of the National Socialist Council of Nagaland (NSCN-IM), the main rebel group in Nagaland state, was to meet government peace interlocutors led by federal minister Oscar Fernandes for talks on the nine-year-old ceasefire, set to expire July 31. The NSCN-IM entered into a ceasefire with New Delhi in August 1997.
"The talks now begin Saturday in Bangkok and are likely to extend up to Sunday", R.H. Raising, a senior NSCN-IM leader said by telephone from Nagaland.
The NSCN-IM, led by guerrilla leaders Isak Chishi Swu and Thuingaleng Muivah, last week threatened not to extend their ceasefire, accusing the army of supplying weapons to a rival rebel outfit to provoke a "fratricidal war."
"I cannot say conclusively if the ceasefire would be extended beyond Monday. It would depend on the outcome of the talks to be held in Bangkok", Raising said.
The rebel leadership is expected to seek a clarification from the government on their charges of arming the rival National Socialist Council of Nagaland faction led by S.S. Khaplang.
"The talks would be crucial as we want to know from the government about the security forces either smuggling weapons seized from our cadres or providing such seized arms to one of our rival factions," another senior NSCN-IM leader who did not wish to be identified said.
"The question of ceasefire extension now depends on the response to our charges by the government in the Bangkok talks."
The original Nagaland rebel group split in 1988 into two factions. The NSCN (Khaplang) struck a ceasefire with the government in 2001 although no formal peace talks have yet been held. The two sides regularly clash for territorial supremacy.
At least 200 members of both outfits have been killed in turf battles in the past five years.
The main group led by Muivah and Swu is seeking a "Greater Nagaland" that would unite 1.2 million Nagas, a demand strongly opposed by neighboring Indian states of Assam, Manipur, and Arunachal Pradesh. The other group is seeking an independent tribal homeland.
India and the NSCN-IM have held at least 50 rounds of peace talks in the past nine years to end one of South Asia's longest-running insurgencies that have claimed around 25,000 lives since the country's independence in 1947.
NNC questions on Keditsu’s contentions The Morung Express
Dimapur, July 30 (MExN): The Naga National Council, while highlighting various historical instance of what it asserted were violations of the principles of the Naga movement, questioned Eno Keditsu on his contentions.
A statement from the NNC issued by L Palang Khiamniungan while asserting that young Naga people have been misled by the NSCN-IM, forwarded some questions: That if the NNC and the FGN were “finished” in 1975 by signing the Shillong Accord as Keditsu asserted, when then Th. Muivah made AZ Phizo as President of the two organizations on August 16, 1976 and why Muivah upheld the NNC General Secretary office up to January 1, 1980; that if the NNC is a “dead organization” “why are you fighting against the NNC since 1980 and for what reasons.”The NNC questioned why Th. Muivah “praised” the NNC on January 20, 2005 at Hebron Camp saying “It is the NNC that gave us the leeway, not me or Isak; it was the NNC, it was Phizo and who can deny that the NNC leaders laid the foundation”.
He NNC further asked that “if you said the NSCN men were killed on 27th September, 1980 (and it) was the first event of killing among the Nagas, then who had killed Brig.Ngamleo Konyak in December 1975 in Kachinland? Who burned down Khiamniungan villages and tortured Khiamniungan people in March and April in 1980?”
Asserting that the NNC and the FGN had maintained time and again that the Shillong Accord was rejected by the FGN in the national assembly held at Dihoma Oking in December 1975, it was stated that through it, the stand of the Nagas was made clear. “So also Muivah group always stated that Nagas have rejected the Shillong Accord” it was stated. The NNC also contended that if it was the Shillong Accord as the main factor for the division and killing among the Nagas, why did the NSCN-IM involved “in the Indian stated elections?”
It questioned: “Why did you leaders submit NSCN-IM 30-point competencies proposal to demand an autonomous state/federal relationship with India and why the talk is going on for the integration under the Indian union and not for sovereignty?”.
'No need to fear as long as Cong is in power' Source: The Sangai Express
Imphal, Jul 30: Social activist and president of Senior Citizens' Forum, Manipur Ningthoujam Benoy Singh has stated that the people of Manipur need not habour any fear on the issue of territorial integrity of Manipur or affiliation of schools in the hill districts of Manipur with Nagaland Board as long as Congress party is in power.

Speaking as chief guest of a function hosted by Thangmeiband Kendra Progressive Front (TPF) at the residence of its president Dr Ch Chandramani Singh today to honour dedicated manual workers of Thangmeiband Assembly Constituency, Benoy cautioned the people of Manipur against rumour mongers who are out to sow seeds of discord among the people.

Congress party under the able leadership of Sonia Gandhi is the only political party in India which would always keep the interest of the Manipuri people in mind while dealing with NSCN (I-M), he said, adding that the recent stunt of burning text books prescribed by BSEM was carried out by some vested interested parties at the instigation of the Naga rebel group.

So the people of Manipur should not have no apprehension on the issue of territorial integrity of Manipur or affiliation of hill schools with Nagaland Board as long as Congress party is in power both at the Centre and the State, he said, while appealing to the people not to be carried away by rumours. Giving a piece of advice to Dr Chandramani Singh, who aspires to contest in the forthcoming Assembly election as a Congress candidate, Benoy said whatever welfare measures being taken up by TPF should be able to convey to the people as the ideals of the Congress party.

Ex-Commissioner of Imphal Municipal Board Ngangom Ibochouba presided over the function during which many dignitaries like president of Thangmeiband Congress Committee Irungbam Kameshwar, Retired Commandant of BSF L Dijwamani Sharmah, retired Additional Chief Engineer of PHED Nongthombam Ranjit Singh, retired MPS Officer Naorem Ibohal Singh, Chairman of Tarung Village Authority K Maniram, retired MCS Officer F Gailalung of Neikalong village and retired Additional Director of Health Services Dr Ngangom Chaoba Singh also shared the dais as guests of honour.

Convenor of TPF Dr Sharat gave the vote of thanks. The gifts presentation to the dedicated manual workers of Thangmeiband A/C wrapped up the May Day observance of TPF which had been instrumental in taking up various welfare programme for the people with the latest being the social service camp conducted at Khwairamband Bazar area recently.
Naga talks remain inconclusive; no decision on ceasefire The Hindu
Bangkok, July 30 (PTI): Talks between central negotiators and NSCN(IM) on extending the nine-year-old ceasefire remained inconclusive here today and the two sides will meet again tomorrow for discussions. A Group of Ministers, headed by Union Minister Oscar Fernandes, held extensive discussions on extending the ceasefire and the rebels' "charter of demands" with NSCN(IM) delegation headed by its chairman Isak Chishi Swu and general secretary Thuingaleng Muivah.
"The talks remained inconclusive. No decision has been taken today," Fernandes told PTI. The two sides held informal discussions on Saturday.
The NSCN-IM and security forces in Nagaland have been observing a truce since August 1997, when they agreed to a ceasefire. The truce has been extended every 12 months since then except last year, when it was renewed for just six months at the insistence of the NSCN-IM and further extended by another six months in February.
The current spell of the ceasefire will end tomorrow. Both sides are understood to have agreed on a broad framework to jointly analyse the Indian Constitution to decide which parts of it will apply with modifications to the Nagas. This is, however, proposed to be done only after agreeing to the basic principles underlying the framework, sources said
In its "charter of demands", the banned NSCN-IM has sought unification of all Naga-inhabited areas of the northeast, separate representation at the UN, and greater rights over natural resources, finance, defence and policing. Other members of the GoM - Union Minister of State for Home S Reghupathy and Minister of State at the PMO Prithviraj Chouhan - and interlocutor for the Naga talks K Padmanabhiah were also present at the talks.
The Nagas and Politics I believe in The Morung Express Prespective
In the words of SK. Chaube in his Hills Politics in Northeast India (1999 P.166) “Like War, peace in appropriate cases is an instrument of political struggle. For the first time after Independence, the Nagas tasted the benefits of settled life. The Underground occasionally resorts to violence, what is most important, however, is that Naga Politics, both open and underground, has followed the course of All-India politics. It is faction ridden”.
He further contented, “Like All-India Politics, Naga Politics was never based on any monolithic unity. The first Naga National Council (NNC) of 1946 was expected to be an All-Naga platform. But it was very much an elite or middle class organization dominated by the advanced Ao. Phizo, with a middle class background but personally frustrated, was able to unify most of the other Naga groups, through an appeal to tribalism and with the weight of the powerful Angami village, Khonoma”.
On 2nd June 1955, The Assamese Hill Tribal Leaders Conference was held in Shillong where A.Z. Phizo with the delegates rejecting the demand of the Sixth Schedule commends in most interesting terms:
“I feel, the Hill State demand has already achieved its mission. It has shaken the Assamese. In politics it is not mere majority but a matter of organization………….. One day if we achieve Independence, it will not mean that India granted it, it will be because India can no longer stand against the voice of the world. You can help us much in this matter by speaking about us to the many tourists. If we came down, it will not helpful to you.” (Discussion with the Naga Leaders, B.B. Lyndoh, 2nd June 1955).
A Khasi Deputy Commissioner described on Naga Hills Administration that the Naga hospitality was still there, but the naïve and simple Naga that I had been so much used to in earlier years was hard to find. The Marwari’s shopkeepers of Kohima had left during the Japanese advance in 1942. Naga shopkeepers of Kohima had installed themselves in their place though not yet quite effectively. In the 20years (1929-1949) or so that had elapsed, education had made rapid advances in the district and the war had also brought the Nagas into close contact with different nationalities and peoples with different ways of thinking and aggressive ethnical values. He was now worldly-wise and sophisticated and, what was more, he was very politically minded.(S.J. Duncan paper (abridged) Naga Hills Administration-Reminiscences, presented at a seminar on Nagaland, organized by the Shillong Science Association, Shillong 1969).
During the past decades, agreements were signed between India and Nagas; Hydari Agreement, 16 points agreement, and Shillong Accord. These were ardous journeys and also complicated. Circumstantial evidence only permits guesswork. The ascendancy of A.Z. Phizo was illutrious and paramount as evidenced in meeting with Mahatma Gandhi on 19th July 1947. And his internationalization of Naga politics based in London was significant step towards the destiny of the Nagas. With his demise peace process has been slackened forming different opinions and pulling at different directions. Whatever happens today among the Nagas, one and all must come to common pool for common good. We are not infidels. Partnership with the infidels will surely lead us to destruction and will forever live in harms way.
In 1964, further efforts by the Naga Church Leaders led to the establishment of a peace mission comprising three members including Revd. Micheal Scott, the British host to Phizo. Peace of 4th September 1964’s with five rounds of talks could not bring any tangible political results though peace continued to reign with occasional interruptions. The same trend continues today with the help of International Agencies. The world is watching us and we have shown to the world.
During early 1960’s Naga areas in Manipur burned like hell while the valley people, the Meiteis, made haydays and had a good laugh with Delhi. In Ukhrul district an Army General Hqs. was established at Tuinem hilltop, about 30kms west of Ukhrul Town, under the command of General Mowa Angami. Today Nagas are divided and working with different groups associated with various opinions, etc. Today the Nagas are faction ridden and have strange bed-fellows.
We all know the past events and they are Naga history which we ourselves cannot omit or erase from the soil of Nagaland. They are deep rooted and have dyed in the blood of Naga sons and daughter. In real politics to attain selfhood there cannot exist expediency and cannot move on a one-way street. Politics is always a two-ways street. Politically speaking any agencies that work or pursue dichotomization naturally ended in negation. One cannot play like the chasing eagle and sitting dove.
India does not belong to Gandhi and Nehru. Likewise Nagaland does not and will not belong to Lotha, Angami, Ao, Sema or Mao, Tangkhul. Leaders come and go and their history followed after his/their footprints, good or bad. Fearing for solution in any given aspects pertaining to peace and tranquility is apolitical. Shunning violence, revenge, hatred, self gain and so on is the way to peace and unity. In the world, politics is never permanent. It is always see-saws. I can never say what I am doing is absolutely right and vice versa. Self justification against the national interest is against the natural river course and will ultimately baulk at the rock wall. The enemy within will lead to suicidal goal.
We are all in the same channel running with different colours to reach the same long cherished goal. Let us remember what Pope I said in U.N. chamber 39 years ago: “If you want to be brothers, let the arms falls from your hands” Is the spirit of head hunting still running in the proclaimed land of ‘Nagaland for Christ’ I strongly believe, we shall soon see a waiting day and say a BIG AMEN. This is what I believe in Naga politics. God bless you all.
R.Rungsung, Member
Tangkhul Elders Forum,Wino Bazar, Ukhrul
Kuki students threaten further agitations after today`s strike The Imphal Free Press

IMPHAL, July 30: The issue of gunning down of two Kuki youths by police commandos at Langol Laimanai on July 26 is unlikely to subside lightly as the Kuki Students Organization, which has been demanding justice in the matter, has threatened of more intense agitations after the 24 hours statewide general strike called from midnight today.

The 24 hours general strike will be immediately followed by indefinite economic blockade along the national highways and another two days statewide general strike if the state government fails to take up any positive action.

Even though talks were held between the government and KSO representatives today to resolve the current impasse both sides could not arrive at any tangible result.

A reliable source said the KSO representative pressed the government to constitute a judicial probe into the July 26 Langol incident apart from demanding termination of services of all the commando personnel involved in the firing incident.

The demands put up by the student body were rejected by the government who however accepted that a high level police inquiry at the level of a IGP could be set up to probe the incident.

The government side led by the chief minister O Ibobi Singh, reportedly appealed to the KSO leaders to withdraw their proposed agitation in the interest of the people of the state.

Speaking to mediapersons this evening at the Kuki Inn Imphal, the KSO ridiculed the government`s proposal to constitute a departmental inquiry to probe the incident and asked as to how justice could be delivered by the police department which stood solely for their own personnel. Asserting that the two youths gunned down by the Imphal west police commandos on July 26 were innocent civilians, the KSO leader also said the duo were picked up from Khuman Lampak bus terminus at about 12.30 pm and later shot dead at Langol Laimanai later in the afternoon at 4.30 pm on the same day.

The two youths have become yet another victim of fake encounters of the state police commandos, the student leader alleged. He also disclosed that the 24 hours general strike has the support of many students and civil society bodies working together with the students body.

The press conference was also attended by leaders of several students and civil society bodies like AMSU, MAFYF, Kuki Mothers Association, Kuki Movement for Human Rights who vowed to extend support to the KSO sponsored general strike.In the meantime, the dead body of the two youths are still lying at RIMS mortuary even though government authorities had announced that the bodies will be disposed off if the families fail to take them by 1 pm of July 30.