Source: The Sangai Express
Amsterdam, May 21:
In an effort to find an "honourable" solution to the decades-old Naga issue, the Centre and the NSCN (IM) have resolved to hold parleys within a month again and would meet "as frequently as possible" in the future to expedite the ongoing peace process.
"We have decided to meet as frequently as possible.
We will meet again within a month to expedite the peace process further," Centre's pointsman for Naga talks and Union Minister Oscar Fernandes told PTI after a meeting with a delegation of the Naga outfit here yesterday.
"It is a very good development.
The meeting was held in a very cordial atmosphere and it was very fruitful.
We have been able to take up all the relevant subjects in the discussion," the Union minister said.
The two-day talks between the NSCN (IM) and the Government were held amid increasing pressure from the Naga outfit seeking an early and "honourable" settlement of the more than five-decade-old problem.
Asked about the details of the meeting, Fernandes said "unless we arrive in finality, it is difficult for us to tell you subjectwise.
But I must say that it is a good development." He also refused to say anything on the NSCN (IM)'s key demand of unification of Naga inhabitated areas in the North East region.
The Naga side was led by its chairman Isaac Chishi Swu and general secretary Thuingaleng Muivah.
Apart from Fernandes, the Centre was also represented by interlocutor for the talks K Padmanabhaiah.
NSCN-IM spokesman Kraibo Chawang said over phone from Nagaland's commercial hub, Dimapur, "the talks were very positive and the two sides agreed to meet for another round of negotiations within a month".
"The Indian Government negotiators and our leaders seriously explored possibilities for hammering out a solution," said senior NSCN-IM leader RH Raising.
"There were some positive commitments from both the parties in the talks."
"The Government negotiators at the talks demonstrated tremendous political will and the peace process have now reached a very crucial phase," Chawang said.
"There can't be any solution without merging all Naga-inhabited areas in the north east," Chawang had said.
"If required we shall have to fight again to get our rights." The NSCN-IM on the eve of the Amsterdam talks threatened to pull out of the ceasefire unless New Delhi accepts its call for a homeland of the Nagas.




