An ‘encounter’ and an abduction put a ceasefire in danger

However, the ‘encounter’ — in which members of one of the most professionally trained insurgents’ groups in the country were killed without even a policeman being injured — could not have come at a more delicate moment.

If the encounter wasn’t enough, the Manipur Government announced a reward for the policemen the following day and the police department said the personnel concerned would be recommended for gallantry awards.

An alarmed New Delhi, recognising a potential crisis, moved into the picture the day of the abduction, when the Prime Minister’s emissary to the Naga peace talks, K Padmanabhaiah, apprised the Union Home Ministry of the ‘‘gravity of the situation’’. The incident, according to Padmanabhaiah, could well derail New Delhi’s five-year-old ceasefire with the IM.

Padmanabhaiah, who’s moved into damage-control mode, told The Indian Express on Wednesday: ‘‘We have asked the NSCN(IM) group to ensure Thumkishore’s safety. We have also asked the parties concerned to show utmost care and caution. For one, the life of a Government official is involved; secondly, we would not like to see the matter escalate.’’ Top sources say both the Home Ministry and thePMO have politely asked the state Government to sort its own mess.

At the same time, it is carrying on parallel negotiations — bypassing the state government — to secure the DC’s release and reach an agreement with the Naga militant group. The IM leadership, it is learnt, ‘‘is in touch’’ with Lt-Gen Kulkarni, chairman of the Ceasefire Monitoring Group, to find an ‘‘honourable’’ way out for both parties.

The NSCN(IM), in a statement, has asked New Delhi to ‘‘bring the culprits to justice’’. It says, ‘‘The NSCN, being fully committed to peaceful settlement, once again appeals to the Government of India to clarify her position and punish those who carried out the cold-blooded action to prevent (us) from being nudged to the point of undesirable reprisal.’’ The Naga group has also demanded return of all the weapons seized from its slain cadre.

With inputs from Samudra Gupta Kashyap