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Centre denies appeasing NSCN (I-M)
New Delhi, Nov 26: The Centre has urged the north eastern states and NSCN (I-M) to review their respective stands on the contentious issues, including `Greater Nagaland` and refuted allegations that it is trying to placate the rebel group by granting autonomy to Naga-inhabited areas of Arunachal Pradesh, ahead of next week`s crucial peace talks in Bangkok.
New Delhi, Nov 26: The Centre has urged the north eastern
states
and NSCN (I-M) to review their respective stands on the contentious
issues, including 'Greater Nagaland' and refuted allegations that it
is trying to placate the rebel group by granting autonomy to
Naga-inhabited areas of Arunachal Pradesh, ahead of next week's
crucial peace talks in Bangkok.
''The Naga issue is delicate and complex and both sides should
honour each other's viewpoint or else no agreement to resolve the
five-decade old insurgency could be reached,'' official sources
told reporters here.
''Any agreement which does not address the grievances of either the NSCN (I-M) or the concerned state governments adequately will remain futile,'' they added.
The last round of peace talks between the Centre and NSCN (I-M) was held in Amsterdam in September. Since peace talks in Delhi in January, the first on Indian soil after 37 years, four rounds of talks have so far been held on foreign locations.
The key-demand of NSCN (I-M) is creation of a 'Greater Nagaland' or Nagalim comprising existing Nagaland and Naga majority areas of Manipur, Arunachal Pradesh and Assam. Despite progress on less contentious issues including autonomy and devolution of powers, the Naga leadership remains intransigent on the issue and it continues to be the biggest block in the successful conclusion of the ongoing peace talks.
Manipur is vehemently opposed to any altercation of its existing boundaries. In 2001, when the ceasefire between the NSCN (I-M) and Centre was extended to Manipur, the state witnessed violent protests and it had to be withdrawn. During the historic peace talks in Delhi, the Prime Minister assured Manipur that any solution to the vexed Naga issue would not lead to the dismemberment of the state.
''Although Nagas are in majority in Ukhrul and Tamenglong districts of Manipur and Tirap of Arunachal Pradesh such states cannot be divided to form Greater Nagaland by undermining the sentiments of the people there,'' the sources pointed out. However, such states should not neglect the Naga majority areas and address the genuine grievances of the Nagas.
''The fact that there are three Naga militant groups, NSCN (I-M), NSCN (K) and NNC, all espousing Naga sovereignty, but at the same time bitterly opposed to each other based on personality cult and tribal loyalties, has complicated the Naga issue. It requires great patience and perseverance to wade through these conflicting claims and to reach a workable and lasting solution to the Naga issue,'' the sources opined.
''The protracted Naga issue may not be resolved early as the positions of the NSCN (I-M) and the Centre are poles apart. The negotiations can only inch forward through reconcitiation of these major differences. The presence of large number of stake holders complicates the issue further.''
Bureau Report
''Any agreement which does not address the grievances of either the NSCN (I-M) or the concerned state governments adequately will remain futile,'' they added.
The last round of peace talks between the Centre and NSCN (I-M) was held in Amsterdam in September. Since peace talks in Delhi in January, the first on Indian soil after 37 years, four rounds of talks have so far been held on foreign locations.
The key-demand of NSCN (I-M) is creation of a 'Greater Nagaland' or Nagalim comprising existing Nagaland and Naga majority areas of Manipur, Arunachal Pradesh and Assam. Despite progress on less contentious issues including autonomy and devolution of powers, the Naga leadership remains intransigent on the issue and it continues to be the biggest block in the successful conclusion of the ongoing peace talks.
Manipur is vehemently opposed to any altercation of its existing boundaries. In 2001, when the ceasefire between the NSCN (I-M) and Centre was extended to Manipur, the state witnessed violent protests and it had to be withdrawn. During the historic peace talks in Delhi, the Prime Minister assured Manipur that any solution to the vexed Naga issue would not lead to the dismemberment of the state.
''Although Nagas are in majority in Ukhrul and Tamenglong districts of Manipur and Tirap of Arunachal Pradesh such states cannot be divided to form Greater Nagaland by undermining the sentiments of the people there,'' the sources pointed out. However, such states should not neglect the Naga majority areas and address the genuine grievances of the Nagas.
''The fact that there are three Naga militant groups, NSCN (I-M), NSCN (K) and NNC, all espousing Naga sovereignty, but at the same time bitterly opposed to each other based on personality cult and tribal loyalties, has complicated the Naga issue. It requires great patience and perseverance to wade through these conflicting claims and to reach a workable and lasting solution to the Naga issue,'' the sources opined.
''The protracted Naga issue may not be resolved early as the positions of the NSCN (I-M) and the Centre are poles apart. The negotiations can only inch forward through reconcitiation of these major differences. The presence of large number of stake holders complicates the issue further.''
Bureau Report