Jun 16, 2005

Nagalim: Ceasefire Meaningless Without Breakthrough in Talks Says Naga Leader


National Socialist Council of Nagaland (NSCN I-M) General Secretary Isaac Muivah has warned New Delhi against a sham ceasefire saying there could be fresh violence in the region
Untitled Document
National Socialist Council of Nagaland (NSCN I-M) General Secretary Isaac Muivah has warned New Delhi against a sham ceasefire saying there could be fresh violence in the region, as it did not trust the UPA Government which lacked political will to solve the issue. "If things, the situation go at this rate what is the use of extending the ceasefire again. It is a waste of time, it will create more confusion and more fighting instead of solving it. The Government of India will have to think about this seriously. Problem is not with us, we can extend but will they honour that, so the problem is with them. If they say that they will honour, OK, we are ready but I don't think they will honour it in action, this is the problem," NSCN (I-M) general secretary Thuingaleng Muivah said in an exclusive interview with ANI in New Delhi.Muivah said it was up to the UPA Government to make amends as it was flouting the only condition kept for their talks-that of having no conditions.

"The UPA government's CMP declared in it that the northeast state boundaries would be preserved that means they are imposing conditions on us, knowingly, deliberately they are imposing conditions on us and we cannot accept that. The agreement, the terms of the agreement is clear enough...the talks will have to be without be any conditions," he said. The main sticking point in talks has been New Delhi's refusal to accept the NSCN's (I-M) demand to merge Naga-dominated areas, including districts from neighbouring northeastern states, into a "Greater Nagaland". The government has repeatedly stressed that the NSCN (I-M)'s frustration with the latest talks in New Delhi, which have dragged on for more than four months, would achieve little and have urged them to agree for a middle path.

"Every country has a Constitution, whether we or any country for that matter even when the undergrounds speak they speak of their framework, of their charter, their Constitution so there must be somewhere a meeting point so that the point on which we always discuss. The question is that we are very earnest in our efforts and we also know that they are very keen that the talks should be fruitful and I am sure we will arrive at something," senior Congress leader Oscar Fernandes said.

Source: Yahoo India News