Apr 02, 2007

Nagalim: Peace Talks Make Headway


Peace talks held last week between NSCN and government authorities are reported to have made substantial progress, with plans for another round of talks to take place next month.

Below is an excerpt from an article published by The Assam Tribune:

The NSCN-IM has said “substantial progress” was made in parleys it held today [29 March 2007] with the Centre to resolve the decades-old insurgency in Nagaland, reports PTI. “We are fully satisfied with this round of talks. We have made substantial progress in today’s meeting,” top NSCN-IM leader V S Atem, part of the group’s seven-member team that participated in the talks which lasted over two hours, told PTI.

Official sources said the talks focused on the NSCN-IM’s key demand for the unification of Naga-inhabited areas of the northeast to form a “greater Nagaland”. Recent clashes between rival rebel factions and a “charter of demands” given by the NSCN-IM were also discussed, they said.

The Central team comprised Labour Minister Oscar Fernandes, Union Minister of State for Home S Regupathy, Minister of State for PMO Prithiraj Chavan, interlocutor K Padmanabhaiah, Home Secretary V K Duggal and Home Secretary-designate Madhukar Gupta. The NSCN-IM team was led by Isak Chisi Swu and Thuingaleng Muivah.

“The discussions were held in a very cordial manner and there was good understanding of each other’s position,” Atem said. The two sides also agreed to meet again soon. “Another round of talks may take place next month,” he said. […]