Date:06/01/2006 URL: http://www.thehindu.com/2006/01/06/stories/2006010604401400.htm

National

Naga council wants Centre to respond positively to its formula

Sushanta Talukdar

Next round of talks crucial as ceasefire will expire on January 31

The formula is to resolve Indo-Naga conflict
Next round of talks in mid-January is crucial
Outcome to decide on the pattern of relationship

The July 1997 ceasefire is due to expire on January 31

GUWAHATI: The National Socialist Council of Nagalim (Isak-Muivah) on Thursday said it would expect the Union Government to come out with a positive response to the formula already put forward by the rebel group for resolving the "Indo-Naga conflict." Both sides are scheduled to meet for the next round of talks in the middle of January.

Deputy "Kilonser" (minister) in the "Kilo" (Home) Ministry of the NSCN (IM)-run parallel government, V. Horam told The Hindu over cell phone from the outfit's Hebron Camp in Nagaland that the next round of talks would be crucial as the ceasefire would expire on January 31.

The formula put forward before New Delhi by the Naga rebel group is that "India and Nagalim are going to be two nations but inseparable. But the pattern of relationship would be determined by the outcome of the talks and agreement to be made."

Mr. Horam said the NSCN (IM) had also proposed a nomenclature, "Federation of India and Nagalim" for the proposed nation that would comprise "Naga traditional territories."

He said the NSCN (IM) would explore all possibilities for sustaining the dialogue but everything would depend on New Delhi's response to the formula. The NSCN (IM) had signed a ceasefire agreement with the Centre in July 1997.

"It has been more than eight years and the peace negotiation has reached a stalemate as the Indian Government has not responded to our formula of resolving the Indo-Naga conflict."

The Amsterdam-based Naga International Support Centre (NSIC) on Wednesday called on the NSCN-run parallel government "in the wake of the mounting pressure to remain subdued, to do all in its power to restrain itself and to keep the ceasefire going so talks for peace will remain possible, and bloodshed will be averted."

The peace talks ran into rough weather after the Centre's emissaries Oscar Fernandes and K. Padmanabhaiah failed to convince the NSCN (IM) leaders in the last round of talks held in Bangkok in December last year for an extension of the ceasefire.

The Amsterdam-based human rights organisation also called on the United Nations to "intervene in this long-standing conflict on the basis of the right to self determination." The NSIC claimed, in a telegram to the United Nations, that the Nagas declared independence one day ahead of India. "Though the United Nations acknowledged the reception of that declaration it did not act on it," it added.