|
NORTH EAST - Naga talks : Ceasefire extended indefinitely, but with a rider |
 |
The Centre and the Naga militant organization, NSCN (I-M), have agreed to extend their ceasefire “indefinitely”, but the decision came with a rider from the extremist outfit that the extension would be “subject to progress of the talks”.
The decision was announced by Union Minister Oscar Fernandez and the Prime Minister’s special emissary to the talks, K. Padma¬nabhaiah, on July 31 after a marathon meeting with representa¬tives of the NSCN (I-M) at Dimapur Circuit House.
“We have decided to extend the ceasefire indefinitely from August 1, subject to the progress of the talks,” Padmanabhaiah said.
The ceasefire would have lapsed on July 31 had both sides not agreed on another extension.
Commenting on the outcome of the talks, Fernandez said the discussions were “free and frank”, but refused to disclose any details about the issues discussed.
NSCN (I-M) emissary V.S. Atem said no substantive issues were discussed at the meeting, but agreed with Padmanabhaiah that there were “free and frank” parleys on how to push forward the talks.
“We expressed the concern of the Naga people for an early solution to the problem,” he told reporters. “The Nagas’ concern is for early conclusion of the talks,” he added.
Atem said the Naga community’s concern was seriously taken into account and the next round of talks would deliberate on several key issues.
Phungthing Shimrang, the convener of the ceasefire monitor¬ing cell of the outfit, said the meeting had decided to adopt the ceasefire model adopted by the Spanish government and the Basque separatist group. He, however, did not elaborate.
The Naga group has been demanding the two-nation formula for ceasefire, but the Centre has expressed its inability to concede this.
The two sides also decided to strengthen the ground rules of the ceasefire, a long-pending demand of the NSCN(IM). Both Atem and Padmanabhaiah said they had agreed to strengthen the monitoring mechanism of the ceasefire in order to create an atmosphere conducive to truce and peace parleys.
“We have to hold detailed discussions to analyse every aspect of the ground rules,” the Centre’s interlocutor said.
The NSCN (I-M) has long been demanding a redrafting of the existing ground rules, but the Centre felt that such a formula would give more power to the outfit.
The Naga group’s general secretary, Thuingaleng Muivah, refused to speak to reporters and left the venue escorted by his cadres.
Earlier, thousands of people had gathered at the venue of the meeting to demand early resolution of the Naga problem. Reports say the Naga community is restive over the long-drawn dialogue between Delhi and the NSCN (Isak-Muivah).
|
