Talks between Government and Naga on July 21-22

New Delhi, July 17: With the ceasefire between the security forces and the NSCN (I-M) ending later this month, top leaders of the Naga insurgents outfit have arrived here for talks with the Government over this weekend.

The National Socialist Council of Nagaland (Isak-Muivah) delegation, led by its Chairman Isak Chisi Swu and General Secretary Thuigalend Muivah, will hold discussions with the Group of Ministers (GoM) headed by Union Labour Minister, as also AICC General Secretary in-charge of the North East, Oscar Fernandes on the extension of the 10-year-old ceasefire and ways to carry forward the peace process in the North-eastern state.

The security forces and NSCN (I-M) have been observing since 1997 a ceasefire which has been extended either by a year or six months ever since. The ongoing ceasefire between the security forces and the NSCN (I-M) ends on July 30.

The NSCN (I-M)'s demand for unification of Naga-inhabited areas in the northeast and issues relating to clashes between rival Naga factions were expected to be taken up during the two-day talks, which will be attended by the Centre's interlocutor in the peace talks between New Delhi and the NSCN-IM K Padmanabhaiah.

The NSCN (I-M) delegation arrived here last night from their designated camp in Nagaland.

Of the 14 rebel leaders who have come, seven in the top heirarchy will take part in the meeting.

''This time, we want something concrete from the government on our demands. Otherwise, it is futile to meet only for the extension of the ceasefire,'' said NSCN-IM spokesman Tongmeth Wangnao Konyak.

The NSCN-IM has submitted to the government a charter of demands which includes a separate constitution for Nagaland, a 'new and unique' relationship with New Delhi and unification of Naga- inhabitated areas of Manipur, Arunachal Pradesh and Asom.

However, these three states have rejected this demand. The Centre, too, has not made any commitment on this issue so far.

''The unification of Naga areas is a must... Without unification, there will be no solution,'' said NSCN-IM spokesman Konyak.

At a meeting in Bangkok last year, before extending the ceasefire for a year, both sides agreed on a broad framework to define a relationship that could end the Naga insurgency.

UNI