Militants preparing to hold peace talks to stay out of polls

Imphal, Dec 29 (PTI):  Militants, preparing to hold peace talks and lodged in government-run designated camps, have been instructed not to involve themseleves in the forthcoming Manipur assembly elections on January 28, official sources said today. The decision to instruct the militants particularly those belonging to Kuki community, was taken during a meeting of the newly-constituted state co-ordination committee to monitor the January 28 election here last evening. The meeting was presided over by the chief secretary, D S Poonia. Sources said the meeting discussed the security measures to be taken during the one day poll as some militant organisations had announced that they would boycott the elections. The sources said that some Kuki militant organisations had earlier signed an agreement with the government under which security forces would not attack or operate againtst them, adding that the militants were being kept in the designated camps. The meeting decided that these militants should remain in the camps and the responsibility of keeping them there was in the hands of central para military forces, sources said. Naga militants, particularly those belonging to the National Socialist Council of Nagaland, which has been holding peace talks with the government should also refrain from taking part in the elections, the meeting said. Sources said the Kuki militants who wanted to hold peace talks were being kept in the designated camps. All possible steps would be taken to prevent the militants from taking part in the elections, sources said.