New Delhi, October 19: Suggesting a time frame for resolving the Naga problem, an apex body of all Naga tribes today warned that there was a danger of talks between the Centre and NSCN (IM) collapsing if they continued endlessly.

"I am optimistic about the talks, but equally concerned that it should not go on and on.

It is bound to collapse if we fail to arrive at a decision within a specific time frame," vice-president of Naga Hoho Keviletuo Kiewhuo told PTI here.

"Government should not insist on a solution under the Constitution.

This may be the last and final opportunity to find an amicable solution," he said.

Maintaining that any solution to the problem should be a "durable and permanent" one, he said, "I don�t think any military expedition is going to defeat the spirit of the Nagas and Government of India should now show more decisiveness in bringing peace".

The Naga Hoho leader expressed optimism about the ongoing talks between the Centre and the dominant Naga insurgent group and said while the Government should not insist on a "resolution under the Constitution" as it might jeopardise the peace initiative, the Naga outfit should also "not go beyond the aspirations" of the people they represent.

He observed that improvement in bilateral relations with China and Myanmar have given India a "dramatic advantage" in its peace parleys with NSCN(IM).

The Naga leader, who was present in Bangkok during the latest round of political talks between Union Minister Oscar Fernandes and NSCN (IM) general secretary Thuingaleng Muivah from October nine to October 11, said progress had been made on several points and "positive indications have emerged".

Keviletuo also sounded a word of caution for the Naga outfit and said "NSCN(IM) should not go beyond the aspirations of the Naga people".

Sticking to the demand for a greater Nagalim consisting Naga inhabited areas of Nagaland, Manipur, Assam and Arunachal Pradesh, the leader of the apex tribal body, which has been playing an important role in pushing forward the peace process, said "there are two or three points on which the negotiations are not moving forward".

On whether greater autonomy could be a solution to the country�s oldest insurgency problem, he said the model of autonomy had failed in many regions of world, including the US and Europe.

Replying to a question on whether peace would return to the state if NSCN (Khaplang) and Naga Nationalist Council (NNC) reject the possible agreement between Centre and the NSCN(IM), Keviletuo said "Naga people are supporting the peace initiative and not the NSCN(IM)." He said Naga Hoho would do everything possible to bring all the three groups to a common platform.

"We have been doing it and will continue our effort in this regard," he said, adding that peace negotiator keeps changing and the majority will have to move forward.

Asked about why a solution to the Naga problem has not been arrived at after having peace talks over the years with leaders including Mahatma Gandhi, Jawaharlal Nehru and Indira Gandhi, the Naga Hoho Vice President said "had Gandhi lived two or three years more, things would have been different".

The Hoho leader, who has been a key figure in the backroom initiative for the peace process, said Indira Gandhi had the best opportunity to resolve the issue, "but unfortunately that did not happen".

In a veiled criticism of the Naga leadership for insisting on "sovereignty" in sixties, he said "there was an opportunity to resolve the issue in sixties as the international political situation was conducive for a favourable settlement, but unfortunately the Naga leadership insisted on sovereignty".

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