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Naga peace talks : Deadlock continues |
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NSCN(IM)’s threat to abrogate ceasefire
The Naga peace talks which have been going on since August 1997 with the militant outfit, NSCN(IM), are heading for a collapse, and reports indicate that the Government in Delhi is grappling for a way to prevent the rule of gun in the state.
The Prime Minister’s special envoy, K. Padmanabhaiah who recently returned from Bangkok after unsuccessful talks with NSCN(IM) leader, T. Muivah, held a closed-door meeting with Mr. Vajpayee and Home Minsiter Advani on May 31, and briefed the two about the worsening situation in the state on account of NSCN’s adamant stance and is learnt to have suggested several pre-emptive measures such as alerting security forces, to stop militants from gaining the upper hand.
The main stumbling block is the NSCN’s demand that ceasefire in Nagaland be extended to all Naga-inhabited areas in neighbouring states. But the Government is reluctant to accept this demand as it may give a handle to militants to prepare a case for the socalled Greater Nagaland. Further, the states involved, that is, Assam, Manipur and Mizoram, have firmly opposed this demand.
In his report, Mr. Padmanabhaiah has mentioned that when he discussed the issue in Bangkok on May 22 with Muivah, the Naga leader commented sharply on the role of the security forces. He alleged that the Army had violated the ceasefire. They have killed nearly 100 cadres of the NSCN(IM) and arrested another 100. “If Army dares to attack, we will retaliate,” he said. To counter, Padmanabhaiah handed over a long list of cases of extortion involving the NSCN(IM) cadres. However, a much agitated Muivah shocked the Prime Minister’s envoy when he went out of the way to address a Press conference threatening to abrogate the ceasefire. The report also hints at Muivah’s alleged links with Pakistan, US and China.
According to media reports, in a last ditch effort to extend the ceasefire, Mr. Padmanabhaiah will hold another round of talks with Muivah in Bangkok during the third week of this month.
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