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North East : Naga peace talks : Crucial Bangkok round under way |
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The crucial round of talks between the Union Government and the National Socialist Council of Nagaland (Isak-Muivah), on extending the ceasefire as they continue to seek a solution to the Naga issue, began in Bangkok on Jan. 28. Minister for Overseas Affairs Oscar Fernandes is heading the government delegation at the talks.
The outcome of the current round is being eagerly awaited both in New Delhi and in the North East as it will decide the future course of negotiations between the two sides. The truce accord, reached six months ago, expires on Tuesday, Jan. 31.
Until the insurgent group began negotiating with the Government in 1997, it had demanded an independent homeland. For the past several years, however, it has been pressing for merger of Naga-inhabited areas in the north-east with Nagaland. And, this really is a hard nut to crack. Reports from Imphal say the entire north-east, Manipur in particular, is keenly awaiting the outcome of the talks.
The peace talks have been dragging on for the past eight years. Apart from the growing resentment among the Nagas in the region, the NSCN(I-M) leaders have threatened to return to the jungles if the Government fails to give a firm commitment on integration of the Naga-inhabited areas. The group says there cannot be any solution to the “Naga political problem” unless the Naga areas are integrated.
However Assam, Arunachal Pradesh and Manipur have been opposing the demand. The protests have been pronounced and vociferous in Manipur, where the people say the State is not under Nagaland and as such the ceasefire should not be extended to Manipur. Chief Minister Okram Ibobi has said there is no question of vivisection of Manipur to appease one faction of the insurgents. Those who want to join hands with Nagaland could go there bag and baggage but they should not speak of carving out “Naga-inhabited areas”. His statement has angered many Nagas in Manipur.
The All-Manipur Students’ Union has pointed out that there is no Naga-inhabited area in the State. The word ‘Naga’ figured in the electoral rolls only in 1971. However all elected Naga representatives of Manipur have signed a memorandum to demand the integration of the Naga-inhabited areas.
The Manipur, Assam and Arunachal Pradesh Governments have been instructed to beef up security measures to meet any eventuality after the Bangkok talks.
An apex organisation of Nagas in Manipur has appealed to both New Delhi and the NSCN (IM), whose representatives met in Bangkok on Jan. 28, to extend the ceasefire agreement and thrash out a lasting solution to the Naga problem.
“Nagas want peace and to that end the government of India must exhibit genuine political will to resolve the issue. We also request the collective leadership of the NSCN (I-M) to extend the ceasefire beyond January 31,” a United Naga Council (UNC) release stated.
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