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Unification of Naga territories coming in way of peace: Muivah
Bangkok, May 25: Unification of the Naga territories is standing in the way of a final solution to the peace process, NSCN (IM) chief Thuingaleng Muivah said here emphasising, `The Nagas will never lay down arms, freedom or territories.`
Bangkok, May 25: Unification of the Naga territories is standing in the way of a final solution to the peace process, NSCN (IM) chief Thuingaleng Muivah said here emphasising, "The Nagas will never lay down arms, freedom or territories."
"At the moment the crux of the issue is unification. If the government can understand our issue, we don't need to hurt them. If they refuse to understand us, the question of referendum will come," Muivah said in an interview to a news agency.
“Eighty per cent of the Nagas supported the peace process today," he claimed.
Muivah and K Padmanabhaiah, special envoy of Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee, ended two days of talks on the ongoing peace process. Keeping the Naga territories divided and talking of a solution is an insult to us," the bespectacled general secretary said. "Unification of territories is standing in the way of a final solution," he remarked.
"We told the Indian government whatever might be the efforts to bring about a solution to the Indo-Naga issue, if the unification of Nagas is not done, there will be no solution whatsoever," said Muivah.
Muivah, who has been at the helm of the peace talks, declared the Nagas will never lay down three things - arms, freedom and territories. "Let there be no illusion whatsoever, we have made it clear. So long as Indian armed forces are there in Nagaland, we need to have arms." "As far as the final solution is concerned, it will certainly take time but with the Indian side now on the right track, it is both positive and praiseworthy. There is better understanding between us," Muivah said.
He also praised the Vajpayee government and said the "leadership in India is more serious and more committed to finding a solution to the problem now.
"We see they are back on the right track. We don't doubt Premier Vajpayee's or his colleagues' commitment to the peace process. If this attitude continues, it will surely lead to solutions. We praise them," said Muivah.
He said other issues like the identity of Naga nation, etc could be taken up later. Bureau Report
“Eighty per cent of the Nagas supported the peace process today," he claimed.
Muivah and K Padmanabhaiah, special envoy of Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee, ended two days of talks on the ongoing peace process. Keeping the Naga territories divided and talking of a solution is an insult to us," the bespectacled general secretary said. "Unification of territories is standing in the way of a final solution," he remarked.
"We told the Indian government whatever might be the efforts to bring about a solution to the Indo-Naga issue, if the unification of Nagas is not done, there will be no solution whatsoever," said Muivah.
Muivah, who has been at the helm of the peace talks, declared the Nagas will never lay down three things - arms, freedom and territories. "Let there be no illusion whatsoever, we have made it clear. So long as Indian armed forces are there in Nagaland, we need to have arms." "As far as the final solution is concerned, it will certainly take time but with the Indian side now on the right track, it is both positive and praiseworthy. There is better understanding between us," Muivah said.
He also praised the Vajpayee government and said the "leadership in India is more serious and more committed to finding a solution to the problem now.
"We see they are back on the right track. We don't doubt Premier Vajpayee's or his colleagues' commitment to the peace process. If this attitude continues, it will surely lead to solutions. We praise them," said Muivah.
He said other issues like the identity of Naga nation, etc could be taken up later. Bureau Report