Dimapur, December 20: The over eight-year long peace process between the Government of India and the NSCN (IM) presently hangs on the balance despite the reported successful conclusion of the two-day meeting held between the two sides at Bangkok recently.

NSCN (IM)'s MIP Deputy Kilonser Kraibo Chawang, who was one of the NSCN (IM) delegates taking part in the latest talks, said the possibility of unilateral abrogation of the ceasefire by the NSCN (IM) was still a possibility but added that it solely rests on the outcome of next meeting between the two sides to be held a few days ahead of the expiry of the current ceasefire on January 31 next.

"The NSCN (IM) had made its stand very clear umpteen times� It now remains to be seen how they (Government of India) respond," he said.

It may be mentioned that NSCN (IM) general secretary Th Muivah had earlier warned of going back to the jungles if something positive and concrete did not emerge in the next few months.

It was learnt from the NSCN (IM) leader that Government of India was still non-committal to the faction's 31-point proposals.

According to Chawang, the Government of India was more focused on ground realities (factional clashes etc) apparently to avoid responding to the proposals.

"On the pretext of ground realities, the Government of India has not given any counter-proposals," Chawang disclosed.

However, he said, Minister of State for Statistics and Programme Implementation, Oscar Fernandes, who led the ministerial delegation, left no efforts in conveying to the NSCN (IM) delegation about the seriousness and commitment of successive Prime Ministers, starting from the late Narashima Rao to incumbent Dr Manmohan Singh, to find a solution to the decades-old Naga political problem.

"The Government of India said it will not spare any efforts towards finding a solution since it also wants a solution," Chawang said quoting delegates of the Indian side.

It was learnt from him that in the wake of possible breakdown of the peace process, the Government of India softened its stand and agreed to involve the third party in the negotiation.

"Earlier they (Centre) were averse to a third party involvement but in the wake of possible breakdown of the peace process, the Government of India is now more interested in involving the third party in the negotiations," Chawang said.

It was learnt from him that Dr Michael Van Walt of Netherlands could be mediating in the talks in future as the third party.

Dr Walt is reportedly a member of the United Nation's Human Rights Committee.

Earlier, he served the UNPO as the general secretary.

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