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Centre-Nscn (I-M) political level talks after LS polls
New Delhi, Mar 02: The ongoing peace talks between the Center and the NSCN (I-M) will be upgraded after the Lok Sabha polls, with a Cabinet minister leading the government delegation, paving the way for an early solution of the five-decade old Naga insurgency, Mizoram Chief Minister Zoramthanga has said.
New Delhi, Mar 02: The ongoing peace talks between the Center and the NSCN (I-M) will be upgraded after the Lok Sabha polls, with a Cabinet minister leading the government delegation, paving the way for an early solution of the five-decade old Naga insurgency, Mizoram Chief Minister Zoramthanga has said.
Mr Zoramthanga, who was here to attend the Bamboo Conference,
told that the Naga peace talks so far held at the official
level, would now be upgraded to the political level after the
forthcoming parliamentary elections.
''Centre will appoint a cabinet minister to hold parleys with the NSCN (I-M) general secretary T Muivah and chairman Isak Chisi Swu,'' the chief minister said, adding, ''The rebel leaders have agreed to this proposal.''
Centre's interlocutor on the vexed Naga issue K Padmanabhaiah and Intelligence Bureau chief K P Singh have so far held talks with the Naga leaders.
''However, the officials will continue to be part of the peace talks by facilitating the process,'' Mr Zoramthanga said.
The next round of peace talks scheduled to be held here but postponed due to forthcoming Lok Sabha polls, will be held in Bangkok this month. After the Lok Sabha was dissolved, it was futile to hold discussions on the Indian soil as no major political decisions could have been reached with a caretaker government in power.
Moreover, a visit by NSCN (I-M) chairman Isak Swu and general secretary T Muivah prior to polls would have sent out a wrong signal that it was aimed at helping the ruling coalition in the polls. Mr Muivah and Mr Swu visited India last year after 36 years and held discussions with Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee, his colleagues as well as opposition leaders.
Describing his meeting with the Naga leaders at Bangkok last month as an attempt to facilitate the peace process, Mr Zoramthanga said his visit was aimed at preparing the groundwork for the political level talks. ''The goal of the forthcoming talks at Bangkok is similar.''
Mr Zoramthanga, a former rebel is the Centre's pointman to establish peace in the North East and facilitate the Naga peace process. He is also playing a key role in bringing the other rebel groups in the region to the negotiating table.
Since the Delhi round of talks last year, five rounds of talks have been held on foreign locations. Although substantial progress has been made on less contentious issues including autonomy and financial package, the Naga leaders are intransigent on their demand for 'Greater Nagaland' comprising existing Nagaland and Naga majority areas in Manipur, Arunachal Pradesh and Assam.
''The political demands of the NSCN (I-M) including of 'Greater Nagaland' will be discussed threadbare during the political round of talks,'' Mr Zoramthanga said, adding, ''Both the sides have to climb down from their stated positions and I am hopeful that an amicable solution can be arrived at.''
Bureau Report
''Centre will appoint a cabinet minister to hold parleys with the NSCN (I-M) general secretary T Muivah and chairman Isak Chisi Swu,'' the chief minister said, adding, ''The rebel leaders have agreed to this proposal.''
Centre's interlocutor on the vexed Naga issue K Padmanabhaiah and Intelligence Bureau chief K P Singh have so far held talks with the Naga leaders.
''However, the officials will continue to be part of the peace talks by facilitating the process,'' Mr Zoramthanga said.
The next round of peace talks scheduled to be held here but postponed due to forthcoming Lok Sabha polls, will be held in Bangkok this month. After the Lok Sabha was dissolved, it was futile to hold discussions on the Indian soil as no major political decisions could have been reached with a caretaker government in power.
Moreover, a visit by NSCN (I-M) chairman Isak Swu and general secretary T Muivah prior to polls would have sent out a wrong signal that it was aimed at helping the ruling coalition in the polls. Mr Muivah and Mr Swu visited India last year after 36 years and held discussions with Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee, his colleagues as well as opposition leaders.
Describing his meeting with the Naga leaders at Bangkok last month as an attempt to facilitate the peace process, Mr Zoramthanga said his visit was aimed at preparing the groundwork for the political level talks. ''The goal of the forthcoming talks at Bangkok is similar.''
Mr Zoramthanga, a former rebel is the Centre's pointman to establish peace in the North East and facilitate the Naga peace process. He is also playing a key role in bringing the other rebel groups in the region to the negotiating table.
Since the Delhi round of talks last year, five rounds of talks have been held on foreign locations. Although substantial progress has been made on less contentious issues including autonomy and financial package, the Naga leaders are intransigent on their demand for 'Greater Nagaland' comprising existing Nagaland and Naga majority areas in Manipur, Arunachal Pradesh and Assam.
''The political demands of the NSCN (I-M) including of 'Greater Nagaland' will be discussed threadbare during the political round of talks,'' Mr Zoramthanga said, adding, ''Both the sides have to climb down from their stated positions and I am hopeful that an amicable solution can be arrived at.''
Bureau Report