Next round of Naga peace talks to resume today

New Delhi, July 16 (ANI): The next round of peace talks between Centre's representatives and the National Socialist Council of Nagaland-Isak-Muivah (NSCN-IM) leaders will be held here from today.

NSCN-IM general secretary Thuingaleng Muivah and other senior functionaries of the group will attend the meeting.

Before leaving for Delhi, Muivah told reporters at Dimapur airport that no dates had been fixed so far but hoped the dialogue would commence soon between the NSCN-IM leaders and the Centre's representatives.

Muivah, who wrapped up his nearly one-and-a-half-month-long peace mission with the last public meeting at Jalukie under Peren district, described his journey as successful.

He also said that the resentment amongst the Naga tribal people over him being banned from visiting his hometown in Manipur was not such a big issue to withhold peace talks.

"I think that should not be a very big issue because, it is something natural and nobody can go against it," Muivah told reporters in Dimapur.

"I am exceedingly happy because I have the commitment and the support of the people particularly for the national decision, for the national rights. What is more than that? ...They have openly given the students that they would stand from the true to the end, just for the cause of the Naga people," he added.

Earlier, he said the central government has the authority to resolve the issue.

"Everyone knows that central government is not subject to Manipur state. Manipur state is subject to the Central government, so they can solve. They have the authority to do it, but they don't want to do it, why, because probably they have the personality and that problem would have to be solved by them first," he added.

The Nagas have been demanding a free Nagalim state carved out of the northeastern region, including parts of Manipur.

Manipuris oppose this and see Muivah's attempt to visit his village as undermining their territorial integrity. (ANI)