All party team rushes to Delhi

Imphal, March 27: With the abduction of Chandel DC Y Thamkishwor entering the tenth day today, the State leaders are stepping up their campaign for the release of the official. An all political party delegation is being sent to Delhi to press the Centre to take up steps for securing safe release of the DC. As part of the delegation, Revenue Minister E Biramani, Sekmai AC MLA N Biren and Chandel MLA BD Behring left for Delhi today. MP and MSCP president Th Chaoba and Arts and Culture Minister Dr M Nara are already camping in the nation capital. Chief Minister O Ibohi along with the two DPP MLAs Dr T Meinya and N Biren will be leaving on March 29. A meeting of senior Ministers was convened by the Chief Minister at his office this evening to discuss the abduction of the DC, official sources said. Our Chandel Correspondent adds that an 11 member delegation representing 32 voluntary organizations of Chandel called on Chief Minister Ibobi at his Bungalow at 3 pm today. During the meeting, the delegates urged the Government to initiate steps for the safe release of the DC and bring an amicable solution to the impasse as the matter has now reached the Government level. They also apprised the Chief Minister that they have been putting their full effort for the DC's release at their own levels. The Chief Minister reportedly said a joint effort is necessary on the matter. The delegation comprising representatives of the Chandel Naga People's Organization (CNPO), Naga Students, Naga Employees Welfare Association, Anal Naga Tangpi, Monshang Tribe Union and Chandel Peoples Emergency Meeting Negotiation Team was led by DK Korungthang, MLA, he said. The Government was represented by MoS Francis Ngajokpa and MLA BD Behring besides the Chief Minister. Chandel residents have complained that they were facing hardships and the district administration has completely collapsed after the abduction. A meeting of Chandel Naga Church leaders is being convened at Khudungyon Maring Baptist Church on March 30 to discuss the present situation. Special prayers for safe release of the DC and amicable solution to the impasse are also being planned in all the churches of the district. Earlier in the day, Ibobi told representatives of the Uripok Kendra Apunba Nupi Lup who called upon him, that his Government is taking up all possible steps for the officer's release. He also assured them that the State Government is having good contact on the issue. PHE Minister Govindas and RK Theko were present in the meeting, said sources. Meanwhile, AMSU said it will resort to agitations if Thamkiswor is not released by April 4 and said the Centre and the State Government should be held responsible for any eventuality. In a statement, AMSU said the NSCN (IM) demand shows the conspiracy between the group and the Centre to disintegrate Manipur. However, the territorial integrity of the State cannot be compromised at any cost, it added. It said Advani's reported verbal nod to the demand and the State Government's attitude of waiting for Centre's word only will invite an uprising from the AMSU and the public having the intensity of the June 18. It criticized the Centre for failing to tell the NSCN to release the IAS officer. That the NSCN which is having peace talks with the Centre is demanding ransom after abducting an officer shows the Centre is supports terrorism.