Both factions of the NSCN today [9 September] said a decision on whether they would share the same table for talks with the Centre would depend on the course the ongoing unification process takes. Both factions of the NSCN today said a decision on whether they would share the same table for talks with the Centre would depend on the course the ongoing unification process takes.

Below is an article published by the Telegraph :

Both factions of the NSCN today [9 September] said a decision on whether they would share the same table for talks with the Centre would depend on the course the ongoing unification process takes.

“It is too early to speak our mind on the issue” was the common refrain.

The Centre has stated that eventually both the groups will have to come together for talks to hammer out a solution to the decades-old Naga political problem. “After all, we can’t have multiple solutions to cater to the wishes of the various groups,” a Union home ministry official said.

The two groups — Isak-Muivah and Khaplang — also reiterated that they would unite only on the basis of the “principle of Naga nationalism” without compromising on “sovereignty”.

But both the factions have high hopes of coming together with the initiative of the Forum for Naga Reconciliation (FNR).

In a recent Naga reconciliation meeting, the NSCN groups agreed on a meeting at the highest level where NSCN (I-M) chairman Isak Chishi Swu, general secretary Thuingaleng Muivah, NSCN (K) chairman S.S. Khaplang and general secretary Kitovi Zhimomi will participate.

“Nagas are undivided and unequivocal in our stand for national liberation and no settlement with either India or Burma would be made at the cost of Naga political principle lest it triggers more bloodshed in our land,” the ministry of information and publicity of the NSCN (I-M) said.

Sources said the Centre is working out a peace package for the Naga insurgent groups to find a solution to the Naga political problem within the ambit of the Constitution.

The package, which will include financial largesse, greater devolution of powers and special steps for the protection of Naga culture and heritage, will be placed before the groups by November.

The Opposition Congress today stressed on the need to have a “common voice of Nagas” for finding an “acceptable and honourable” solution to the problem.

PCC president K.V. Pusa said all factions should come together before any solution was hammered out and underground and overground groups must speak unitedly before the Centre.

He said “unity and oneness” were the only avenues to solve the protracted Naga problem and Naga legislators were working out modalities to achieve this and push forward the Naga peace process.

The MLAs had held a closed-door meeting for over eight hours yesterday [8 September] to chart a roadmap so that Naga militant groups could unitedly participate in the peace talks.

Sources said the next round of meeting would be convened soon. Chief minister Neiphiu Rio, leader of the Opposition Chingwang Konyak and Peseyie has been entrusted to work out the modalities for the meeting.