Although no accord is likely to be reached, the talks with the Indian leadership are expected to boost the efforts to bring peace to Nagaland, the sources said.
The counter-insurgency operation on the Indo-Myanmar was under planning for the last three months. The June 4 ambush that killed 18 Indian soldiers only hastened the attack. Sheela Bhatt provides exclusive details of the planning for the operation.
Protests turned violent in Manipur as police burst tear gas shells to disperse agitated locals during the first day of the indefinite state-wide bandh called by a film body demanding the arrest of an NSCN-IM ultra who allegedly molested a Manipuri film actress at a public function
Assam Chief Minister Tarun Gogoi on Friday made it clear that any accord between the Centre and the NSCN(IM) should not compromise the territorial integrity of his state.
A delegation of the NSCN-IM is in the national capital to hold talks on contentious issues including the possibility of an interim government if both sides agree to settle various pending issues.
Rebel groups, particularly militants from National Socialist Council of Nagaland factions, are creating trouble in the border areas of Arunachal Pradesh and Myanmar. These militants are taking advantage of the mountainous terrain as well as the lack of manpower and firepower of the Arunachal Pradesh police to tackle insurgents armed with sophisticated weapons.
The Chinese influence on Myanmar needs to be contested. They have invested heavily in Myanmar's economy. India needs to ensure greater integration of the Myanmarese economy to relieve it of the stresses that it would otherwise feel should the Chinese put pressure on them, says Brigadier (retd) S K Chatterji.
Prime Minister Manmohan Singh must offer Myanmar help to increase the power supply in the country, says B Raman.
Leaders of only a few Asian countries have visited Myanmar in the new era. Notably, China is not among them. Dr Manmohan Singh's visit, the first by a prime minister since 1987, is imbued with larger regional significance, says Rajiv Bhatia.
As Prime Minister Manmohan Singh walks the red carpet at the Ela Airport in Myanmar on May 28, he would be seen by many there as arriving a little too late. Is New Delhi really prepared to take China's lost ground? Atishay Abbhi examines
Naga rebel leader Thuingaleng Muivah, who signed the pact with the Indian government, says the framework agreement will lead to a new relationship
The home ministry said the entire Assam, besides bordering areas of Meghalaya, have been declared 'disturbed' under the AFSPA for three months with effect from May 3.
The future can only get better if we continue to break silos and work as integrated teams focussed on promoting national interests, recommends Sanjeev Nayyar.
The chairman of the National Socialist Council of Nagaland (Khaplang faction) S S Khaplang has asked all the 12 elected legislators of the Tirap and Changlang districts of Arunachal Pradesh to quit the ruling government or face the consequences. The alleged letter categorically directed all the 12 MLAs to corner Arunachal Chief Minister Dorjee Khandu.
Manipur is back in the news. The National Socialist Council of Nagaland-Isak Muivah backed United Naga Council of Manipur has raised a fresh demand for 'creating a separate Union Territory or a separate state within the constitution of India,' in the just concluded tripartite talks held on December 3, in the Senapati district of Manipur.
This was the largest clash in an ongoing conflict between the two groups since December. Both factions are currently in talks with the Centre and have been observing a ceasefire with government forces. The MHA, alarmed at the escalating conflict, wanted the Assam Rifles and the Army to launch an operation to disarm the NSCN cadres of both the factions but so far the Army has resisted the pressure
The Army says such a move will seriously jeopardise surveillance over the country's sensitive border with China.
National Socialist Council of Nagaland -- Isak-Muivah leader T Muivah, camping at a border village since Wednesday, is understood to have put on hold his visit to his native village in Manipur after the Centre asked him to defer it and plan his tour in a more congenial atmosphere.
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.
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.
Three terrorists of the National Socialist Council of Nagaland (NSCN-K) and an Assam Rifles (AR) officer were killed in an encounter in Mon district of Nagaland, a defence spokesman said on Wednesday.
'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 Nationalist Socialist Council of Nagaland (Khaplang), a militant outfit currently in a state of truce with the government, is providing help and shelter to cadres of the banned United Liberation Front of Asom in Naga villages.According to police sources, the ULFA cadres have found safe haven in Mon district of Nagaland with the help of NSCN-K militants.The ULFA militants often cross the border and flee to Nagaland after carrying out operations within Assam.
Apart from Aboh's son, the deceased included some other family members of the MLA.
The incident occurred when a 48-wagon goods train carrying petroleum products from Numaligarh Refinery Limited in Golaghat district of Assam to Gorakhpur in Uttar Pradesh were forcibly brought to a halt by miscreants at Siding, a densely-forested area with an intention to siphon out petroleum fuels from those wagons. However, attempts to break open a wagon loop led to 'toxic emission'.
Days after National Security Advisor M K Narayanan briefed Leader of Opposition L K Advani of the threat perception to Bharatiya Janata Party leaders Advani and Gujarat Chief Minister Narendra Modi, the party will send both the leaders to campaign for twenty-five party candidates in Nagaland.
Official sources informed that the state government is taking serious view of the growing activities of the AANLA that was formed in 2005 by a section of frustrated tribal youth with help from bigger militants groups, including the banned United Liberation Front of Assam and Naga rebel group, the NSCN-IM.
'In the first meeting of this new year, we took a joint new year resolution that we will complete it this year. At the time things were not very clear, but the mood was clear that yes, we must resolve it.' 'Yes, details have to come out, but there are some sensitivities, there are some stake-holders not yet on board, especially other Naga undergrounds etc, we would like them to come on board... So at a proper time it has to be revealed to the country, and to the legislature. Perhaps, we may have to wait for some more time.' 'With better understanding of the Indian system, many of them have learnt, realised, appreciated that Naga nationalist aspirations can be accommodated in the Indian system. The Indian system is pretty comprehensive and flexible.' 'A Naga has as much stake, claim over India as any other Indian. There is no distinction. This, Nagas have realised, that yes, Naga nationalist aspirations and Indian nationalism are not mutually exclusive.' Ravindra Narayan Ravi, the Government of India's Special Interlocutor for the Naga talks, explains how the Naga Peace Accord was reached in an exclusive interview to Saisuresh Sivaswamy/Rediff.com
The PM added that developing the infrastructure in the north-east region is being given top priority by the government.
"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 Union home ministry has ordered stepping up the security of Thuingaleng Muivah, secretary general of the Nationalist Socialist Council of Nagalim, following death threats from his rival group NSCN (Khaplang).
The agreement for the ceasefire was signed by interlocutor for the Naga talks K Padmanabhiah and NSCN (IM) General Secretary Thuingaleng Muivah.
The current spell of the ceasefire will end on July 31.
Muivah flew from New Delhi and landed at Dimapur airport, where he was given a brief civic reception by local officials.
Speaking at Camp Hebron, the NSCN-IM's central headquarters, Swu said New Delhi's recognition of the 'unique history and situation' of the Naga people had not been translated into reality.
The National Socialist Council of Nagaland-Isak Muivah is aiming to carry forward the ongoing Naga peace process.
The two sides agreed to meet again later in March, possibly in the last week of the month.
There were indications that the ceasefire could be extended only for six months, unlike last July's one year.
Naga students have the National Socialist Council of Nagaland - Isak-Muivah leader a rousing welcome.
With PM Modi's visit, the time has come for a relook at India-Myanmar ties, and elevate the relationship to higher levels, says Dr Rahul Mishra.