Mizo CM says no talks with NSCN

Just back from his visit to Bangkok, Mizoram Chief Minister Zoramthanga said his talks with ‘‘several underground outfits’&#1...

Just back from his visit to Bangkok, Mizoram Chief Minister Zoramthanga said his talks with ‘‘several underground outfits’’ were part of an effort to persuade them to hold negotiations with the Centre.

‘‘My mission was to act as a bridge between them and the Centre,’’ he said while speaking to reporters on Saturday. However, he rejected any role in discussing the political demands of the underground outfits.

The CM, however, refused to reveal the identities of the insurgents. He also rejected claims the meeting was held secretly. Yesterday, Zoramthanga met Deputy Prime Minister L.K. Advani and briefed him about the progress made during his talks with the insurgents.

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Zoramthanga underlined the need for a ceasefire as a pre-condition to talks with any insurgent group. The Centre is reviewing an extension of the ceasefire with the NSCN (I-M). The CM specified he did not hold any discussions with that group.

Centre’s interlocutor K. Padmanabhaiah is slated to meet NSCN leadership in Bangkok. He also denied reports that he was opposed to Padmanabhaiah as the Centre’s interlocutor in the Naga peace process, but underscored the need for a political leader to take the initiative.

‘‘Both sides must have confidence in each other. The groups should not think the Government is trying to hoodwink them and the Government must not think that these groups only want to use the ceasefire to procure arms,’’ he said.

Zoramthanga rejected reports that he was ‘‘not authorised’’ to speak to the insurgents on the grounds that ‘‘one cannot be authorised with a government authority letter to negotiate with insurgents. These groups have to have faith on the mediator.’’

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