First time since ceasefire,Centre,NSCN hold talks in Nagaland

Later,Pandey said the discussions included a wide range of issues based on a set of proposals submitted earlier by the NSCN(IM) to New Delhi. Both sides also expressed their commitment to explore all possibilities to arrive at a consensus on “certain issues” which are “sensitive in nature”,Pandey said. Both Pandey and Muivah refused to divulge what exactly were the issues discussed.

“We hope we will be able to hammer out the contentious issues in due course of time,” Pandey said after the meeting was over. Muivah on his part said neither the Government of India nor anyone else could wish away the rights and aspirations of the Nagas.

“The NSCN(IM) is determined to explore all means towards finding a negotiated settlement by removing obstacles standing in the way,” Muivah said.

Muivah also described Tuesday’s discussion as “significant,” adding that this time he noticed more seriousness and sincerity on the part of the government for finding a negotiated settlement on the basis of “unique rights,history and situation” of the Naga people.

The NSCN(IM) supreme also said he did talk about the integration of Naga-inhabited areas despite New Delhi’s repeated negation of the demand.

“Integration is a natural aspiration of the Naga people,and we believe the Government of India also understands it. We hope they will solve the issue in due course of time,” he said.

On the stalemate over his proposed visit to his native village,Somdal,Muivah said it was a creation of the Ibobi Singh government and not the Nagas,and it was up to the government to solve the problem.

Muivah has been stuck at Viswema,a village 10 km short of the Manipur border,since the Manipur government denied him permission to visit Somdal,his native village in Manipur on May 5.

While this had triggered off massive protests,in which two persons were killed in Manipur,the Naga Students’ Federation has since then blocked NH39,the supply line to Manipur.