Naga rebels ready for peace talks, but doubt Centre’s sincerity

"It (the progress) is not up to their expectation. After the Paris meet, no further talks. So far,” said Vero, who led a five-member delegation to meet the top NSCN-IM leader in Bangkok recently. Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee had met the top leaders of the outfit in the French capital in August last year and both sides had agreed to continue the dialogue process.

The Naga Hoho delegation, as well as a separate team ofthe influential Naga Mothers’ Association (NMA), met the NSCN-IM leaders on January 28 and 30 respectively, to discuss the overwhelming public opinion in Nagaland in favour of unity among various underground organisations, including NSCN-IM and NSCN (Khaplang), as the first step towards elusive peace.

“We told him what is happening at present in Nagaland and what people want. He had a patient hearing and we hope a positive response from their side to our requests,” Vero said. “Our visit was very positive and both sides agreed to continue such conversation in the best interests of the Nagas,” he said.

On the appointment of P P Srivastava as chairman of the cease fire monitoring group (CFMG), the Naga Hoho reiterated its stand, saying, “if his removal facilitates both sides in coming together for effective monitoring of the cease fire ground rules, the Centre should replace him with another person”.

Vero said after meeting all sides, including NGOs and public leaders, the Hoho would work out modalities for the unification acceptable to all. “Next few months are most crucial for the Hoho and we are meeting again each and everyone”.

NMA president, Neidanou Angami, said the NSCN-IM leaders were very receptive and gave a patient hearing to the people’s concern. “We came back with a lot of hope from them, expecting there will be no more hatred among our brothers in the Naga society,” she said.

Senior NSCN (I-M) functionaries last week told a group of visiting newsmen at their permanent headquarters, Oking, that peace talks were the top priority at this moment. The question of unity among different factions could be resolved “automatically” as it was “an internal issue,” they said.