Consensus among Naga factions sought

By Barun Dasgupta

GUWAHATI, SEPT. 8. The Naga Ho Ho, apex body of Naga tribes, is trying to bring about unity among the 29 tribes and evolve a consensus among different factions of the Naga underground to facilitate a negotiated settlement with the Centre.

Mr. Niketu Iralu, convener of the Naga Coordination Committee (NCC) of the Naga Ho Ho, told mediapersons here today that no solution of the Naga problem was possible unless all the underground factions arrived at a consensus.

Mr. Iralu was speaking on behalf of an eight-member delegation of the Ho Ho, led by its president, Mr. M. Vero, which has come here at the invitation of the Asom Sahitya Sabha to ``renew the traditional ties between the Naga and Assamese people''.

Asked about the progress in the peace talks with the NSCN(I-M), Mr. Iralu said they did not know the details. ``We know the ceasefire has been extended by a year and that the talks are going on in Amsterdam. Beyond this, we do not know anything.''

Asked to spell out the Naga Ho Ho's views on the demand for a Greater Nagaland or Nagalim, Mr. Iralu said the Ho Ho ``does not have a mandate to say anything'' on this issue. But he said such issues should not be treated separately.

Send this article to Friends by E-Mail

Section  : Other States
Next     : No let-up in Bihar flood situation