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Centre decides to review Naga ceasefire

In a bid to calm tempers in the northeast, the Centre on Sunday agreed to review its ceasefire agreement with the National Socialist Council of Nagaland (I-M), including its extension beyond Nagaland, in the wake of continuing violence in Manipur against the truce.

"We shall review the ceasefire agreement, including the words 'without territorial limits' presently incorporated in the agreement, so as to ensure that all doubts about preserving the integrity of Manipur and other northeastern states are removed," Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee said in an appeal after a two-hour meeting with the leaders of Manipur.

Briefing newsmen after the meeting, Minister of State for Home I D Swami said: "The whole agreement in its entirety will be reconsidered."

Centre's interlocutor K Padmanabhaiah will meet NSCN (I-M) General Secretary Thuingaleng Muivah shortly to discuss the ceasefire agreement, Swami added.

Asked how long would it take to complete the process of reviewing the ceasefire, Swami said: "We hope to complete the review within the month of July."

Earlier, Swami, who spent almost three days in Imphal, submitted his report on the situation in Manipur to Advani.

In his appeal, Prime Minister Vajpayee urged the people to remain calm and help the administration restore normalcy to create a congenial environment for progress and development in Manipur.

He also invited various leaders of the state to Delhi to meet him "personally" so that their problems could be discussed in a "free and frank manner."

PTI

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