Two women died in a stampede after police burst tear gas shells to disperse hundreds of T Muivah supporters who became restive following hours of wait to receive the National Socialist Council of Nagaland-Isak Miuvah general secretary, who postponed his visit to his native village in Manipur on Thursday.
The 68th round of peace talks between the Centre and the National Socialist Council of Nagaland-Isak Muivah leadership, by all indications, are heading for a deadlock, as the both sides are rigid on the issues of sovereignty.
The two factions of the Naga rebel group Nationalist Socialist Council of Nagaland -- NSCN-Isak Muivah and NSCN-Khaplang -- which have been in truce with government of India forces, have become a headache for the Assam government in its fight against insurgents.
One of the senior most leaders of the Congress party and former chief minister of Nagaland, S C Jamir on Thursday called for a change in approach on part of the Government of India in respect of Naga peace talks.
'I am happy to announce the appointment of R S Pandey as the interlocutor and the representative of the government of India to hold talks with NSCN-IM,' Home Minister P Chidambaram said in a statement.
The event saw about 1.5 lakh volunteers, mainly youth, turn up for the event at YMCA Grounds here even as 50,000 of them formed the tricolour, Governor of Rotary 3230, organiser of the 'My Flag My India' campaign, ISAK Nazar, told reporters in Chennai.
The National Socialist Council of Nagaland - Isak-Muivah (NSCN-IM) on Wednesday termed as an insult the 'inclusive package' offered by the Centre and said that nothing except integration of Naga-inhabited areas in the north-east is acceptable to the Nagas.The Centre has ruled out the integration demand and offered an 'inclusive package' to the NSCN-IM. The Naga problem cannot be resolved through social, economic and cultural packages, the NSCN-IM said.
Brighton and Hove Albion scored late to earn a 1-1 draw at Crystal Palace. Sheffield United and Fulham also drew 1-1 as both teams picked up their first points.
The Assam Rifles has thwarted an attempt by the National Socialist Council of Nagaland- Isak-Muivah rebels who are in truce with Government of India forces, to set up a designated camp near the Siroy village in Ukhrul district of Manipur, even as the stand off between the Naga rebels and the Assam Rifles personnel continued in the area.
The Naga rebel group is furious over the 'Centre's attempt to neutralise it in collusion with its rival faction -- NSCN (Isak-Muivah)'.
Criticising the NSA's recent statement that the peace talks had slowed down and it could move forward if only the NSCN (I-M) agreed to broad parameters under the Indian Union, the outfit termed the remarks, at a time when the peace talks have entered a crucial phase, as 'irresponsible'.
IMAGES from soccer matches played in the English Premier League and the La Liga on Monday.
The ULFA chairman also criticised the government of Assam and the government in New Delhi for overlooking Nagaland's bid to encroach upon Assam territory.
The United Liberation Front of Asom on Monday accused the National Socialist Council of Nagalim (Isak-Muivah) of killing its two cadres and abducting seven, a charge denied by the Naga group.
The leadership of the NSCN-K is scheduled to join the peace negotiations in March as part of the Naga National Political Group with Government of India's Interlocutor R N Ravi, reports Sujit Kumar Chakraborty.
The talks were convened in Delhi in a bid to hammer out differences, particularly on the NSCN-IM's demand for a separate flag and Constitution for the Nagas, officials said.
Both sides agreed to strengthen the monitoring mechanism to ensure that the ground situation remains conducive for continuance of ceasefire.
"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," NSCN-IM spokesman Tongmeth Wangnao Konyak told PTI on phone.
The slain NSCN-IM cadres held the ranks of captain and lieutenant in the rebel group were taking shelter in a private house behind a police colony, the police said.
NCSN-IM members were firing upon a NSCN-K hideout when reports last came in.
The current spell of the ceasefire will end on July 31.
Govt-NSCN (IM) talks in Amsterdam on Tuesday
Isak Chisi Swu, chairman of the Naga rebel group NSCN-IM, has left for an undisclosed destination abroad, leaving the next round of peace talks with the government in jeopardy. A source in the NSCN-IM, which has been engaged in peace talks with the government since 1997, said that Swu will attend future peace talks with the government. The NSCN-IM general secretary Th Muivah will lead the rebel group's delegation in the next round of talks, to be held on Wednesday.
A broad range of internal security issues, including those related to Jammu and Kashmir and the naxal problem, were at the centre of the ongoing three-day deliberations between the Sangh Parivar and the government.
Five more lives have been lost in the on-going bloody conflict between the Naga rebel group National Socialist Council of Nagaland (Isak-Muivah) and the Kuki Liberation Army based in Manipur.
The two sides agreed to meet again later in March, possibly in the last week of the month.
With an aim to boost the ongoing Naga peace process, a central team including three Union ministers began a crucial round of negotiations with Nationalist Social Council of Nagalim (Isak-Muivah) leaders at the Hague on Thursday.
Summary of World Cup qualifiers played across the world on Thursday
During the talks, the two sides discussed political issues and agreed to hold another round of discussions in the last week of this month.
The AFSPA will continue to remain in force in 12 districts of Arunachal Pradesh for six more months.
The 60-metre-long bridge on river Irang is 70 km from Imphal and located between Khongsang and Noney in Naga-dominated Tamenglong district.
The prime minister assured the people of Nagaland that the Centre will always be sensitive to the needs of the people.
