Centre, NSCN-K declare ceasefire

By Our Special Correspondent

NEW DELHI, APRIL 28. The prospects of peace in strife-torn Nagaland brightened today with the Government entering into a formal ceasefire agreement with the Khaplang group of the National Socialist Council of Nagaland (NSCN-K). It already has a four- year-old ceasefire with the other NSCN faction led by Isak Swu and T. Muivah.

The agreement followed persistent demands by the public, NGOs, church leaders and the State Government involving other militant Naga groups apart from the NSCN (I-M) in the peace process. Of late, Nagaland has been witness to ``peace rallies'' with the latest being a 15,000-strong gathering in the border district of Tuensang.

In a statement, the Union Home Minister, Mr. L. K. Advani, said the ceasefire would be in force for one year with effect from April 28. ``The Government of India hopes this would enlarge the area of peace in Nagaland. This would also meet the long-standing demand of the people of Nagaland for entering into a ceasefire with this group.''

Briefing reporters, the Additional Secretary in the Home Ministry, Dr. P. D. Shenoy, said the ground rules specified that the truce was limited to Nagaland. As in the case of the NSCN (I- M), there would be a ceasefire monitoring board (CFMB) comprising five representatives of the Central and state governments and others from the NSCN (Khaplang).

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