No Question of Dividing Manipur: Chidambaram

By Iboyaima Laithangbam

Imphal, Dec 15 : Union Home Minister P. Chidambaram on Tuesday said there was no question of dividing or redrawing the boundaries of Manipur. He was talking to students here shortly after his arrival.

The Home Minister said the Union government respected the boundary of Manipur. There had been apprehension among the people in the backdrop of persisting demands by militant organisations for the division of the State.

Ceasefire

Mr. Chidambaram said various underground organisations in the northeast had signed ceasefire agreements and suspended operations. The peace process was in progress. In view of the congenial atmosphere, the remaining militant organisations should also come forward for talks.

To a question by the students, the Home Minister said girls from the northeast were not especially targeted for criminal assaults in and around Delhi. Some of the culprits had been arrested and they would be tried.

Highway blockades

He said the Centre would not tolerate the blockades along the two national highways which were the lifelines of Manipur. The Union government would take tough action against the organisers of the blockades.

Earlier, Mr. Chidambaram met Governor Gurubachand Jagat, Chief Minister Okram Ibobi Singh and police and Army officers and discussed the law and order situation. On Wednesday, the Home Minister would meet various civil groups.