NSCN(IM) talks tomorrow, ceasefire extension likely

Dimapur, July 30 (UNI) As the first formal talks on home turf between the NSCN(IM) and the Central Government are scheduled to be held here tomorrow, speculation is rife about a fresh extension of the 10-year-old ceasefire.

Nagaland's Additional Chief Secretary and Commissioner TN Mannen today said that Union Labour Minister Oscar Fernandes would lead a high-powered Central delegation for the talks. Mr Fernandes will be assisted by Centres interlocutor in the Naga talks K Padmanabhaiah, Intelligence Bureau's senior official Ajit Lal and Secretary of Ministry of Home Affairs Naveen Verma.

According to sources here, the meeting will also discuss issues such as inter-factional clashes, territorial integration and amendment to ceasefire rules, which is the demand of both the factions of the NSCN as well as the Nagaland government.

The ''collective leadership'' of the NSCN (I-M), Chairman Isak Chishi Swu and General Secretary Thuingleng Muivah, are presently camping at NSCN (I-M)'s headquarters ''Camp Hebron'', about 40 km from here.

Meanwhile, security has been beefed up in and around Dimapur and strict vigilance provided in all vulnerable points by the Assam Rifles, CRPF, Indian Reserve Battalion, Nagaland Armed Police, besides the Nagaland Police to foil any untoward incident.

In Kohima, a meeting of the Naga Hoho held on Sunday decided to organise a ''peaceful public rally'' coinciding with the next round of talks between the Central Government and NSCN (I-M).

The Naga Hoho said the rally was being organised to appeal to both the Government and NSCN (I-M) to expedite the political negotiation and to bring peaceful solution without further delay.

While the sixth 'consultative meeting' of the NSCN (IM) held last weekend favoured the continuation of the Naga peace process, the rival NSCN(K) opted out from the process, saying the NSCN(IM) was engaged in a ploy to dupe the people and the government.

The NSCN (K) rejected the whole process, saying the NSCN (IM) was not the true representative of the entire Naga community and it only represented a section only.

Representatives from various organisations which took part in the consultative meeting at Camp Hebron, however, expressed serious concern at the lack of substantial progress in the peace process towards the greater ''Nagalim''.

As a rider to favouring the extension of the ceasefire, the NSCN(IM) said different Naga organisations wanted New Delhi's guarantee for '' a time-bound acceptable and honourable'' solution before taking any decision on extending the ceasefire.

UNI