'The issue of the larger homeland of Nagalim, the dream of the Nagas to hold sway over swathes of Manipur, Assam and Arunachal Pradesh, is just that, a dream.' 'The NSCN has been told categorically that the government is not going to concede on this issue.'
With an aim of ending insurgency in Nagaland, the government on Monday signed an accord with key outfit Nationalist Socialist Council of Nagaland- Isaac-Muivah which Prime Minister Narendra Modi described as a "historic" step to usher in peace in the state.
The next round of formal peace talks between the National Socialist Council of Nagaland (Issac-Muivah) General Secretary Thuingaleng Muivah and the centre's interlocutor Mr R S Pandey is expected to take place on Wednesday amidst reports that both sides have been able to iron out many ticklish issues which were pending for last several years.
Ahead of Sushma Swaraj's visit, Myanmarese soldiers take over Indian territory.
The move could virtually put an end to the Free Movement Regime prevalent along the porous border.
Violence was reported from some places of the north east state hours before the second phase of polling commenced as a BJP supporter was gunned down allegedly by a Congress worker and a crude bomb exploded outside the residence of an expelled saffron party leader, police said.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi hit out at the Congress saying they had made the state their political battle ground, pitting one community against the other.
Centre will send forces to remove blockade of national highway passing through Nagaland, said Home Secretary G K Pillai on Monday.
Normal life was affected in Manipur on Thursday because of an 18-hour general strike called by some major social organistions to protest against kidnapping of a businessman by suspected Naga militants.
Nationalist Socialist Council of Nagaland-Issac-Munivah wanted to join the operations against NSCN-K militants.
Naga rebel group Nationalist Socialist Council of Nagalim-Isak-Muivah has accused Manipur Chief Minister Okram Ibobi Singh of trying to derail the ongoing peace talks by making 'destructive remarks' against the organisation. According to the Naga rebel group, which had declared a state of truce with the government of India, the Manipur chief minister has shown his "antagonism" towards the peace talks.
Those who quit included deputy chief minister Y JoyKumar Singh.
The FMR allows people residing close to the India-Myanmar border to venture 16 km into each other's territory without any documents.
The ban was imposed on her by civil society group Kangleipak Kanba Lup for taking part in the event held in Delhi, amid the ongoing violence in Manipur.
Governor La Ganesan and Chief Minister N Biren Singh were among the early voters in their respective constituencies of Sagolband and Heingang.
Prime Minister Manmohon Singh on Saturday said that there were no plans for a 'supra state' for Nagas in the northeast and appealed to militants to ensure peace in Manipur for speeding up development work there. "Manipur needs peace and tranquility for all-round development. Different communities have been living here for centuries and there should not be any misunderstanding among them," Dr Singh told a public meeting.
Blockade is an issue which has seemingly widened the divide between the hills and the plains.
To expect that these past decades of grief, inter-group killings, anxiety and fear will be brushed aside because of the Naga peace accord is being unrealistic. Memories are built on old wounds and they heal slowly. So, it is important to be cautiously optimistic, says Sanjoy Hazarika.
"Based on this consensus, the process of disengagement is almost complete. Our efforts will be to take the matter beyond disengagement; but for that, we will have to wait a little longer," he added.
The United Naga Council on Monday lifted its 100-day economic blockade on the Manipur side of two national highways without any condition but with a caveat that agitation would be re-launched if the government did not make an 'alternative arrangement' for Nagas in the state.
Violent protests over the death of two youths in Manipur continued till the early hours of Thursday with a mob vandalising the deputy commissioner's office in Imphal West and torching two four-wheelers, officials said.
Sharmila will contest from Thoubal seat, convenor of her party People's Resurgence and Justice Alliance Erendro Leichonbam, said.
The agency filed the charge sheets in the interconnected cases before a designated special court in Kamrup, giving a sequence of events before they went missing.
The Nagas, who inhabit the hills, feel the Manipur (Hill Area) District Council Act (Third Amendment) 2008, under which the election was to have been held, takes away the powers of the tribal people.
According to a statement by the Eastern Command, a column of the Indian Army operating along Indo-Myanmar border was fired upon by unidentified insurgents of the National Socialist Council of Nagaland-Khaplang about 4.45 am.
The NSCN-IM rebels have been accused of indulged in inducing voters in favour of candidates of Nagaland People's Front in Manipur hill districts dominated by Naga tribes.
The crippling 'economic blockade,' imposed by the All Naga Students Association of Manipur on national highways in Manipur was lifted on Thursday noon.
Two bodies, including that of a woman, with bullet wounds were recovered in Imphal East and West districts in Manipur, police said on Thursday.
"We are actually shocked. The prime minister did not even take into confidence chief ministers of Manipur, Assam and Arunachal Pradesh, who are directly affected. Here is another show of arrogance of this government," Gandhi told media persons.
Over 50 armed militants stormed the house of Khangthauanang Panmei, the independent candidate, overpowered the security guards and beat up his supporters before kidnapping him.
Manipur needs an integrated politico, military, socio-economic approach, says Sanjeev Nayyar.
The government on Monday banned nine Meitei extremist groups and their associate organisations, which mostly operate in Manipur, for their anti-national activities, and launching fatal attacks on security forces.
They saluted 'the hands that weave timeless stories'.
A maximum statewide alert has been sounded as social organisations plan to take out a torchlight rally protesting attempts to divide the state in the wake of the Naga talks.
Naga rebel leader Thuingaleng Muivah, who signed the pact with the Indian government, says the framework agreement will lead to a new relationship
Incumbents Pushkar Singh Dhami and Pramod Sawant are the clear favourites but face some opposition
During a fresh round of talks with North-East Democratic Alliance (NEDA) convenor Himanta Biswa Sarma earlier in the day, the NPP leaders stuck to their demand for change in the leadership of the BJP-led coalition government, they said.
Security was beefed up at all BJP offices throughout the state following the violence which erupted after the candidate list was announced, official sources said.
