Ceasefire extended; Naga-Govt talks soon

Though the ceasefire had been negotiated only between the Centre and the Isak-Muivah faction, the Governmental had `unilaterally’ extended the offer to other militant groups — including the Khaplang faction. While the Centre is pleased that the ceasefire with the Isak-Muivah group has “by and large” held and the level of violence in the state has come down, NSCN(K) has not responded favourably.

The Khaplang faction is blamed for two ambushes on security forces this month, which led to the security forces again launchingoperations against NSCN (K).

Significantly, the Home Ministry statement said political discussions between the rebels and the Centre will “start” with the extension of the ceasefire. Officials usually describe the NSCN-Centre talks so far as initial contacts, which got the ceasefire process going. The two sides also negotiated a set of ground rules to ensure that the ceasefire held. The Ministry warned today that the security forces will take “appropriate action” if the ceasefire was violated. The ground rules include ban on NSCN (I-M) cadres from parading in their uniforms and brandishing their weapons. Under the terms, the security forces in Nagaland too have to follow a set of restrictions.

This extension follows recent statements by Prime Minister Atal Behari Vajpayee and Defence minister George Fernandes that the Government was open for talks to resolve disputes in the Northeast.

Meanwhile, in Udhampur, Fernandes said that government is ready to talk to “anybody” including militants toresolve Kashmir problem.

Talking to newspersons here last night, Fernandes said “I have a plan to meet some persons during my current visit of the state in this regard’. “The militants are also our children but they are on wrong track we have to bring them back to the mainstream.For this we are ready to talk to anybody,” he added.