Smaller N-E groups open to talks

With the NSCNIM leaders already in Delhi for talks with the Centre, several smaller underground outfits of the North-East have started sho...

With the NSCNIM leaders already in Delhi for talks with the Centre, several smaller underground outfits of the North-East have started showing readiness to come to the negotiating table.

One of the first to have shown such interest is the Dima Halam Daoga, a group operating in Assam8217;s North Cachar Hills district. The DHD has been demanding a separate state for the state8217;s Dimasa tribals.

Last week, the outfit announced a unilateral ceasefire for six months, with its vice-chairman Dilip Nunisa saying it was encouraged by the manner in which the Government had responded to the NSCN IM8217;s gestures. Nunisa signed the ceasefire pact with R.C. Jain, Special Secretary in the Home Ministry.

In Meghalaya, both the Achik National Volunteers Council and Hinnewtrep National Liberation Council have also expressed similar willingness to talk to the Government. Leaders of the two groups have written to Dy PM L.K. Advani, requesting him to facilitate a process of negotiation.

While the ANVC, formed in 1995, has been demanding a separate state for the Garo tribals of West Meghalaya, the HNLC8217;s major demand is creation of a sovereign state for the Khasi and Jaintia tribals of East Meghalaya.

However, two other groups, the NSCNK faction and the Kuki Inpi, a non-political forum of the Kukis, a major hill tribe of Manipur and Nagaland, have openly opposed the parleys between the Government and the NSCNIM leaders. While S.S. Khaplang, chairman of the NSCNK faction, has termed the talks with NSCNIM as 8216;8216;an exercise in futility8217;8217;, the Kuki Inpi has rushed a letter to Advani, asking him not to sign any pact with the NSCNIM. Khaplang has also warned the Centre that any attempt to find a solution by keeping away other groups would be disastrous.

In Assam, the NDFB8217;s vice-president Dhiren Boro, who was arrested in Sikkim last week, has reportedly told police during interrogations that the group has been looking for a mediator to kickstart a dialogue with the state government as well as the Centre.