Query on IM camps irks CM

IMPHAL, Feb 21: Chief Minister O Ibobi Singh has iterated that the ceasefire agreement between the Naga rebel group NSCN (IM) and the Government of India is confined only in Nagaland and there is no camp of the Naga rebel group in Manipur.In response to a query during a press conference at his office chamber here today, Ibobi asserted that there is no designated camp of NSCN (IM) in Manipur.“Can you identity any of the designated camps of NSCN (IM) in Manipur ?”, the Chief Minister retorted in response to the query posed by a journalist who quoted Assam Rifles sources that said such camps are in Manipur but the State Government has not taken note of them.The Chief Minister’s clarification or rather the outburst came in the backdrop of public suspicion on possible involvement of NSCN (IM) cadres in the recent killing of SDO of Kasom Khullen Dr Thingnam Kishan and his two subordinate staff after being abducted from Ukhrul district.The JAC formed in denouncement of the brutal killing had also demanded the State Government that no NSCN (IM) camp should be allowed to exist within the territory of Manipur.It may be recalled here that recently a stand off occured between the Assam Rifles soldiers and armed cadres of NSCN (IM) at Siroy village in Ukhrul district over setting up of a camp by the Naga rebel group.