'Pact not linked to greater Nagaland demand'

BANGKOK, JUNE 18. The ceasefire agreement between the Government and the NSCN (I-M) has nothing to do with the demand for greater Nagaland comprising all contiguous Naga-inhabited areas, the NSCN (I-M) leader, Mr. T. Muivah, said today.

``The ceasefire is a ceasefire'' and ``at the moment it has nothing to do with territories,'' he told PTI here. On the protest in Manipur, he said ``they need to think calmly because it is a ceasefire and nothing more than that''.

Asked if his faction would think of including other areas in any future homeland they seek, Mr. Muivah said ``eventually it will be decided according to history.... If Nagas would like to join with their brothers there is nothing wrong''.

``The partition was not done by the Nagas but by the colonial powers... Let the people decide what is best,'' he said adding ``about the Naga issues, Nagas will decide, about Assam issues, the Assamese will decide and so on.'' Mr. Muivah, who last week signed an agreement here with Government emissary, Mr. K. Padmanabhaiah, said his faction was for a peaceful solution.

- PTI

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Section  : International
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