Date:21/01/2003 URL: http://www.thehindu.com/2003/01/21/stories/2003012104191100.htm

National

Cong. opposed to disturbing northeast

By Our Special Correspondent

NEW DELHI JAN. 20. The leaders of the National Socialist Council of Nagaland, Isak Swu and Thuingaleng Muivah, met the Congress president, Sonia Gandhi, at her residence here this evening even as the party indicated that it did not favour the re-drawing of the northeast map. Within an hour of the meeting, the Manipur Chief Minister, Ibobi Singh, led a delegation of State leaders for an interaction with Ms. Gandhi.

Though the Congress and the Naga leaders did not divulge the details of the meeting, party sources said that Mr. Swu and Mr. Muivah apprised Ms. Gandhi of their demands. As for the Manipur delegation, it called on Ms. Gandhi to voice concern over the NSCN (I-M) demand for the creation of a Greater Nagaland, which could affect the territorial integrity of some States in the northeast.

The NSCN (I-M) leaders had apparently sought an appointment with Ms. Gandhi soon after they reached the Capital about a week-and-a-half ago. Today's meeting lasted for a little over half-an-hour, but the Naga leaders — who were forthcoming after their meetings with the Prime Minister and the Deputy Prime Minister — refused to talk to the media as they left 10 Janpath.