As the Centre’s representative in the Naga peace talks, K. Padmanabhiah, left for Amsterdam today to negotiate renewal of ceasefire with the NSCN(I-M), the Home Ministry, in a report to the PMO, said that the NSCN(I-M) had violated the ceasefire — which expires on July 31.The report says the NSCN (I-M) on Thursday destroyed the bridge over the Irang on NH-53, which connects Silchar and Imphal, the only road open to the rest of the country as NH-32 had been blocked by the agitating Naga students. The NSCN (I-M) is known to be supporting the students, who have imposed an economic blockade on Manipur to protest the state government’s decision to observe June 18 as Manipur Integration Day.Senior ministry officials, however, added that the Centre would go ahead with the renewal of ceasefire. It is, however, likely to seek an assurance from the NSCN (I-M) that such an incident will not recur.
