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G Vinayak in Guwahati
With positions on either side of the divide on the issue of Naga ceasefire hardening with each passing day, fresh trouble is likely in Assam, Nagaland and Manipur in the coming days.
While a four-day civil disobedience movement is being launched in Manipur starting July 19 to protest against the Centre's decision to extend the ceasefire beyond Nagaland, a 12-hour bandh in Assam on Monday called by a radical youth organisation evoked total response.
In Nagaland, on the other hand, many organisations have warned the Centre against reviewing the June 12 Bangkok agreement between the National Socialist Council of Nagaland (Issac-Muivah) and the government.
The Naga Youth Federation has decided to block the National Highway 39 -- Manipur's lifeline -- for the duration of the 'civil disobedience'.
To add to the trouble, the banned United Liberation Front of Asom has urged the Naga insurgent leadership to review its stand on an 'extended Nagalim' in the greater interest of peace in the northeast.
The NSCN (I-M) and the Centre signed a ceasefire agreement in 1997. The ceasefire was recently extended 'without territorial limits', sparking widespread protests, particularly in Manipur.
The ULFA accused the Centre of endorsing the 'designs of Naga revolutionary leaders'. It said the NSCN (I-M) was planning to annex areas 'belonging to others' with the Centre's help.
"We firmly believe that such an endorsement in the name of solving existing problems will only create suspicion, disbelief and annoyance among the people of the region. It seems to be a suicidal act," the ULFA said.
The outfit said the agitation against the territorial extension of the ceasefire would snowball into a secessionist movement in Manipur if the ceasefire agreement was not revoked.
It warned of a similar uprising in Assam and Arunachal Pradesh, the two other states to which the Naga ceasefire has been extended.
"It will prove very difficult for New Delhi to contain the anger of the people of Manipur, Assam and Arunachal Pradesh," the ULFA said.
The NSCN (I-M) has objected to the Centre's decision to review the truce agreement and threatened to return to the path of violence 'if the Indian government fails to fulfil its commitment relating to extension of the ceasefire to Naga-dominated areas'.
ALSO SEE: The complete coverage of the Naga truce issue
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