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Journalism of Courage
With both sides expressing genuine desire to work towards a peaceful and mutually acceptable solution to resolve the Naga issue, the stage is set for an intensive dialogue between the NSCN (I-M) leadership and New Delhi on the secret memorandum submitted by the insurgent leaders to the UPA Government three months ago.
NSCN (I-M) chairman Isak Chisi Swu and general secretary Thuingaleng Muivah met Prime Minister Manmohan Singh for the first time today, with the latter saying that his Government would make a ‘‘sincere effort to find an honourable way out’’. Singh indicated the Government’s keeness to work out a ‘‘mutually acceptable and honourable solution that can ensure that the Naga people live a life of peace with dignity and self respect’’.
Swu and Muivah will meet Congress president Sonia Gandhi on Wednesday and former prime minister Atal Behari Vajpayee later this week.
While there were no substantive discussions today, the Home Ministry has begun preparations for the official-level dialogue, headed by Secretary Dhirendra Singh, with the NSCN (I-M) leaders when they return to Delhi in January. Swu and Muivah leave for Nagaland on December 13 and will reach the Central Headquarters (CHQ) in Jaluki in Dimapur the next day with a halt at Kolkata.
The NSCN (I-M) spokesperson late this evening sought to put an end to any speculation on the parameters of dialogue. In a statement, the spokesperson said: ‘‘There has been no discussion on autonomy. We are not discussing autonomy — that question does not arise. We have submitted our proposals and will discuss each of them threadbare to arrive at a peaceful solution.’’
It is understood that the NSCN (I-M) submitted a 30-point memorandum two years ago to the previous NDA government two years ago. These were later refined and were submitted to the new UPA Government three months ago. While both sides are tight-lipped about the memorandum, it is understood that the proposals refer to the kind of federal structure that the NSCN (I-M) wants and also includes the long-standing demand of integration of the Naga-dominated areas.
Notwithstanding the historic visit that Swu and Muivah will undertake to Nagaland on December 13, the key purpose of the trip will be for the leaders to assess the mood of their people and the 7,000-strong I-M cadre that is now living in camps since the 1997 ceasefire.
In a statement, NSCN (I-M) emissary V.S. Item said that the ‘‘collective leadership’’ of the insurgent group and the UPA Government ‘‘reaffirmed and reassured’’ each other of their commitment that ‘‘no stone will be left unturned to achieve a peaceful solution to Indo-Naga conflict’’.
