Talks hurt, Rio told to rein in men

‘‘The politics of the state is closely enmeshed with the insurgency and the various insurgent groups there,’’ sources said. So, shaken by the NSCN (I-M) leaders’ charges, the Centre was now making all efforts to appease them. Insurgent leaders Isak Chisi Swu and Thuingaleng Muivah had expressed reservations about the Centre’s sincerity about the peace process as they alleged the Government was also patronising other rival Naga groups, the NSCN (K) and the NNC.

Rio, who called on Patil yesterday, was told in no uncertain terms to pull up his socks and control his ministers and administration. Sources said that an angry Patil said that the Centre could not afford to fritter away the advantage it had gained following the prolonged dialogue with the NSCN (I-M), the biggest insurgent group in the state.

During the last meeting of the NSCN (I-M) with the Centre’s interlocutor K. Padmanabhaiah in September, crucial gains were made when the insurgent leaders agreed to visit India and stay for five-six months. They intended to meet the political leadership, and also travel extensively in Nagaland, forging contact with the local people and the Naga Civil Society.

Their refusal to keep their date could be a setback for the peace process. The Government had tried to assure them that it was negotiating peace only with their group. It even asked them to pass on any credible information about other rival groups, or about their procurement of weapons, so that the matter could be investigated thoroughly.