Truncated Naga ceasefire extension is wake-up call

The truncated ceasefire duration reflects the current tension between the two sides. The Naga leadership, it was learnt, wanted to extend the ceasefire by only three months, but extended the time limit following the Government’s request. The Centre was hoping for a one-year extension.

A joint-communique issued after the talks in Amsterdam said the meeting had ‘‘reaffirmed the need to extend the ceasefire and to intensify the peace process’’. It also went on to say that the ‘‘NSCN(IM) intends to hold extensive consultation with the people. The ceasefire is formally extended for a period of six months’’.

The Nagas say that the Centre has failed to reassure them adequately that it is serious about finding a solution to the problem.

‘‘Talks cannot go on just for the sake of talking. Since 1997, when the talks began, there has been no change. The Government of India appears to be interested in dragging the talks rather than finding a solution,’’ a Naga source said.

But sources in the Government say that Manipur’s decision to declare June 18 as ‘‘Manipur Integrity Day’’ and the Centre’s decision of not intervening has added to the disappointment of the Naga leadership. The Naga students have imposed an economic blockade closing down NH-39 and NH-53—the two highways to Manipur.

The Nagas warn that in absence of any headway in the talks in the next six months, they will be ‘‘forced’’ to go back to the jungle. ‘‘This is the last chance that the Centre has to show that it is serious,’’ added the Naga source.

Security forces are apprehensive that the threat posed by the NSCN(I-M) is strong despite the recent peace. Under the present circumstances, the NSCN(I-M) would try to re-group during the next months, say security forces.

According to them, since the ceasefire, the group had taken to supplying arms to smaller insurgent outfits in the region and, therefore, still has access to weapons and explosives. The key hurdle to an agreement is the Naga demand for a ‘‘special federal relationship with India’’, integration of Naga-inhabited areas and building up a separate force for Nagaland.

It is understood that the Centre has indicated to the Nagas that it is not in a position to consider these core demands. It has been pointed out that the integration of Naga-inhabited areas would not be acceptable to Manipur, Assam and Arunachal Pradesh.