Imphal: The United Committee of Manipur (UCM) has threatened to intensify its agitation if the state government failed to give a written assurance on the apex body's demands latest by October 20, UCM president Sapamcha Jadumani said.

Jadumani told reporters that the government had not so far responded to the demands which included clarification on whether Centre-NSCN-IM (National Socialist Council of Nagalim-Isaac Muivah) ceasefire was in force in Manipur informally and also on the proposal to include parts of Manipur and Arunachal Pradesh in Nagaland.

He said UCM, which had been organising sit-in protests and public meetings to press for its demands in the past few days, would intensify its agitation if there was no response from the authorities on its demands by October 20.

Jadumani, however, did not elaborate on the UCM's future course of action.

He said the state government should seek a clear-cut clarification from the Centre on the present unlawful activities of looting, extortion and collection of taxes by the NSCN (IM) members in Manipur territory.

Jadumani wondered why the state government had remained silent for so long on the recent suggestion of the Centre's emissary K Padmanabhaiah in peace talks with NSCN (IM) that Ukhrul and Senapati districts of Manipur and Tirap district of Arunachal Pradesh should be included in Nagaland.

The UCM president asked how could the people of Manipur remain silent when the unlawful activities of NSCN (IM) were taking place in state territories and Padmanabhaiah's suggestion was yet to be clarified.

He said if the state government had written to the Centre on these issues, the government should also give a copy of the letter to the UCM.

PTI