NSCN-IM flays Padmanabhaiah

Kohima, July 2 (UNI) Piqued at the Centre's interlocutor to Naga talks, K Padmanabhaiah, the NSCN-IM denied discussions about solutions either within the Constitution or within the Union of India during the last talks.

In a statement here today Brig (Retd) V S Atem, emissary to the collective leadership of NSCN-IM, said,'' Mr Padmanabhaiah should not have scandalized the Indo-Naga political negotiation.'' He added that the last round of talks held on June 22 and 23 concluded to discuss more on the framework for special relationship.

He, however, asserted that there was no discussion on solutions within the Indian Union and that Nagas would not seek solution within the Union of India. Mr Atem said the statement of Mr Padmanabhaiah was 'baseless'.

However, Mr Padmanabhaiah recently in an interview to a daily in New Delhi disclosed that the contours of the Naga peace settlement resembles 'Kashmir type' status within the Indian Union.

UNI AS PP SP RD 1336