NSCN Camp Hebron (Dimapur) Jan.4 : Nationalist Socialist Council of Nagalim (Isak-Muivah) today held a giant party meeting at it's headquarters, in which the all the top office bearers reaffirmed their mandate in the collective leadership, chairman Isak Chisi Swu and general secretary Thuingaleng Muivah.

Swu and Muivah, informed sources told ANI that the two top leaders would continue to lead the idea of Nagalim going. The tenure of the collective leaders is supposed to be of 6 years. The last election was held in 1996 and hence the next election was due in 2002. But due to engagement of the collective leaders the election could not be held.

Top spokesperson of NSCN (I-M) K. Chawang told ANI, "Today the National Assembly reaffirmed mandate in the collective leaders. Isak Chisi Swu was elected chairman, Khadau Yanthan as vice- chairman and Thuingaleng Muivah as general secretary."

"The normal tenure of the collective leaders is six years. The last election was held in 1996. The next election should have been in 2002 but due to political engagements and because of peace process the collective leaders were not able to come in 2002", Chawang added.

NSCN had already made it clear that the election will be mere reaffirmation of faith in the collective leadership. Likewise, in today's National Assembly the proposal was given by Steering Committee Convenor Qhevihe, which was seconded by Kilo Kilonser (Home Minister) Rh. Raising. All the NSCN members then endorsed the proposal.

"Considering their (Collective leaders) achievement, commitment and sacrifice the National Assembly reaffirmed faith and confidence in the ability of collective leaders", said Chawang.

All the top office bearers of NSCN were present in the meeting. Earlier the party meeting was scheduled for December 28 and 29 but the same was postponed for January 4 and 5. According to sources in NSCN, apart form reaffirmation of mandate in the collective leadership, general secretary Thuingaleng Muivah highlighted some vital administrative issues and the approach through which National objective can be achieved.

It may be mentioned here that the two top leaders of NSCN (I-M) are in Nagaland to gauge the mood of people in the state and they have expressed satisfaction on the ongoing peace talks with the Government of India. The duo also made it clear that, if need be, they may stay in Nagaland beyond January for the speedy resolution to their decades-old political conflict.

NSCN (I-M) has held a ceasefire with New Delhi for the last seven years. Swu and Muivah visited New Delhi for the first time in January 2003 but there was no agreement on the organizations demand to unify all Naga-dominated areas in the northeast region. (ANI)

Source: NewKerala