DPP demands arrest of NSCN (I-M) leader

IMPHAL, June 20 ? The two-member Democratic People?s Party (DPP), a constituent of the ruling six-party Secular Progressive Front (SPP) in the 60-member Manipur Assembly, has said it would demand pre-merger status of Manipur if the State?s territories were ?divided to appease? the NSCN (I-M), and also demanded arrest of NSCN (I-M) general secretary Th Muivah, reports PTI. The DPP welcomes the peace talks between the Centre and the NSCN (I-M), but would oppose, at all costs, the attempts to ?divide? Manipur, party spokesman RK Anand told newsmen. Manipur Government, he said, should arrest NSCN (I-M) general secretary Thuingaleng Muivah who hails from the State?s Ukhrul district as he (Muivah) was still in the ?wanted list? of the State Government published by Home department in April 1994. Under the Government order, he said, Muivah carried a cash reward of Rs 4 lakh for his arrest or for information leading to his capture. If there was a settlement between the Centre and NSCN (I-M) affecting the territories of Manipur, there was no other alternative for DPP but to demand the pre-merger status of the State (before Manipur merged with the Union in 1949), he said. Condemning the ?white paper? released by Nagaland-based Naga HoHo demanding bringing of Nagas under one administrative unit, Anand said his party also demanded convening of a special session of Assembly to discuss ?threat to State?s territorial integrity?. The DPP could not remain a ?silent spectator? since some Nagas under Naga HoHo had held a conference on May 20 and put forth demands which aimed at ?breaking up? of Manipur. Naga HoHo was demanding what NSCN (I-M) had been demanding ?(the breaking up of Manipur and merger of some portion with Nagaland)? and the people in the State are strongly opposed to this, he said.