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North East : Naga peace process

	June 06, 2005

NSCN(IM) leaders in Delhi for further talks

The ninth round of talks between the Government of India and the NSCN(IM)

leaders is slated this month for which the two leaders of the outfit, Isac Chishi Swu and T. Muviah are already in New Delhi.

A review of the work done so far was undertaken by Union Home Minister Shivraj Patil with his junior Minister S. Ragupathy, who is one of the three Union Ministers holding talks with the NSCN(IM). The two other Ministers are Oscar Fernandes and Prithviraj Chavan.

The present status is that the talks are virtually deadlocked as the militant outfit is in no mood to bend over the contentious issue of integration of Naga-inhabited areas in the neighbouring states of Manipur and Arunachal Pradesh with Nagaland. The NSCN(IM) has expressed displeasure over the “slow progress” of the ongoing peace process. It has warned that any further delay in reaching a solution would force the NSCN(IM) to adopt what it called “a different” posture.

However, according to media reports, there is some “satisfaction” in the Government quarters as there is a desire on both sides to continue interaction and understanding of each other’s viewpoint.

There are reports that the Union Home Ministry has decided to refer the demands made by the NSCN(IM) during the talks held so far to the Cabinet Committee on Security (CCS). The decision was taken following a high-level meeting chaired by Home Minister Shivraj Patil on May 3 to review the dialogue with the Naga outfit.

The NSCN(IM) raised 30 demands during the eight rounds of talks already held. The Home Minister is expected to submit to the CCS a detailed note on the dialogue before the beginning of the ninth round of talks.

Two important issues the Union Home Ministry wants the CCS to discuss are the demand for Greater Nagaland, or integration of all Naga-inhabited areas in the north-east and greater autonomy for Nagaland. Sources said the GoM remained non-committal on the vexed issues during the earlier rounds of talks with the NSCN(IM).

However, the GoM has reportedly assured the NSCN(IM) that it was willing to discuss other key demands like Nagas to be identified as separate Naga citizens, an exclusive Planning Commission for Nagaland, separate flag for Nagaland and State Human Rights Commission.

“Some issues related to their demand for greater autonomy can be worked out, but on others the Cabinet will have to decide,” a top Home Ministry official said. The ongoing dialogue also assumes significance since the eight year old ceasefire with the NSCN(IM) expires on July 31.



NSCN(IM) lock horns with Govt. over oil exploration

Meanwhile, the NSCN(IM) has locked horns with the Government on development issues such as oil exploration in the state. The outfit has reiterated its warning against any oil exploration in the state till the peace talks produce a tangible result.

“The NSCN is not frightening anyone, but our aim is to protect national wealth and we shall execute the national policy accordingly”, a release from the outfit said, making a reference to Mining and Geology Minister Khekhiho Zhimomi’s comment last week. The Minister had said `the NSCN expression should not frighten anyone’.

Attempts at oil exploration, the outfit warned, would be seen as a challenge to the outfit. It warned against a deal ‘of some agencies and the Nagaland state’ in this regard.

Zhimomi had said that the government was aware of the problems and wanted to take people into confidence before giving a final clearance to the Oil and Natural Gas Corporation (ONGC) for oil exploration in the state.

Last year, there were enough signals that exploration was set to begin as the government started talking with landowners and held detailed discussions with the Centre on oil royalty.

The latest development has spurred the government to reconsider its decision and call a cabinet meeting this week, sources said. Chief minister Neiphiu Rio could not be contacted for his reaction.