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Government rejects NSCN demand for extension of ceasefire to other northeastern states

Nitin Gogoi in Guwahati

The ceasefire between the National Socialist Council of Nagaland (NSCN-Issac-Muviah group) and the Government of India was extended for a year for the fourth time on July 31, but the rebel outfit's demand to extend it to the neighbouring states has been turned down.

The ceasefire arrangement will be confined to Nagaland, though it will be observed informally in the neighbouring states as well.

The ceasefire agreement was extended at a meeting between the GoI team led by former Union home secretary and chief interlocutor K Padmanabhaiah and NSCN (I-M) members led by its chairman, Isak Chisi Swe, at Bangkok on Monday. The meeting continued for three days, instead of the scheduled two-day talks.

The NSCN (I-M), it is learnt, tried to talk tough by insisting that the ceasefire be extended to 'greater Nagaland' comprising parts of Arunachal Pradesh, Assam and Manipur. However, the GoI refused to budge and insisted that the ceasefire be confined to Nagaland as before. However, home ministry sources said the ceasefire may be observed informally in the neighbouring states as before. The term 'informal ceasefire' means the security forces will not open fire on NSCN members if they do not violate the law by carrying out extortion, kidnapping, etc.

The home ministry, in a one-para statement, said 'It has been decided to extend the ceasefire for a period of one year with effect from August 1. The Government of India and the NSCN have decided to move forward with the peace process to bring about a lasting political solution to the Naga issue. It was felt there is a need for mutual trust. The agreed ground rules shall be implemented during the current ceasefire period in letter and spirit.'

Sources said the Union Government was not in a position to extend the ceasefire in the states neighbouring Nagaland, as all the states have opposed the demand for 'Nagalim.' The assemblies of the concerned states unanimously passed a resolution rejecting the demand for a greater Nagaland, the sources added, pointing out that in a democratic country the verdict of the state legislatures have to be respected.

The NSCN (I-M) also sought to link the continuation of the peace process with the release of its detained general secretary, Th Muivah. In a recent statement Swu said as the Naga ho-ho had authorised Muivah to lead the talks, it would be difficult to continue with the discussions until he is released from prison.

Home ministry officials said the next dialogue between Padmanabhaiah and the NSCN(I-M) is likely to be held sometime in September or October. The ceasefire monitoring cell will meet on August 19 in Nagaland.

Padmanabhaiah protested the NSCN's violation of the ground rules. GoI officials pointed out to the NSCN (I-M) instances of kidnapping, killings, extortion and other illegal activities carried on by its cadres in the region. NSCN(I-M) cadres allegedly ambushed security forces on Sunday, even as the talks were going on for continuation of the ceasefire, sources observed.

Though the extension of the ceasefire was a foregone conclusion after the NSCN council of 'kilonsers' (ministers) recommended its continuation, the Centre was peeved at the outfit for violation of the ground rules, in view of the complaints pouring in from various northeastern states.

New Delhi has not taken kindly to the NSCN(I-M) training other militant outfits, particularly in Assam, where its hand is seen behind the escalating violence in Karbi Anglong and North Cachar District.

The NSCN(I-M) too appeared unhappy with the Centre over what it alleged was the arrest and killing of its cadres in the northeast and India's silence in getting Muivah released from a prison in Thailand. The NSCN leader is undergoing a one year sentence for travelling with false papers.

The government has also proposed that the Nagaland government be included in the peace process. So far, only the Union government and the NSCN(I-M) have been involved in the dialogue. The Nagaland government has requested it be made part of the negotiations.

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