NSCN (IM) claims ‘substantial progress’ in talks with Centre

The latest round of talks between the Centre and the National Socialist Council of Nagaland - Isak-Muivah

The latest round of talks between the Centre and the National Socialist Council of Nagaland – Isak-Muivah (NSCN (IM)) was held here today with the group expressing satisfaction that the government had discussed several contentious issues it has been raising over the years.

NSCN (IM) drew the government’s attention to recent killing of its cadres, three of them over the past week, alleged by members of the rival Khaplang faction. The group requested the Centre to try and control such incidents.

It also raised some of its key demands that are part of the 30-point charter that the NSCN (IM) has been pursuing. These include its concept of a Greater Nagalim and unification of Naga-dominated areas in the Northeastern region. It is also learnt to have brought up its demand for a separate constitution.

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The talks, scheduled to be spread over three days, were wrapped up today itself, with the NSCN (IM) saying substantial progress had been made and expressing hope that another meeting would be held soon. Significantly, the talks were held here, a departure from the earlier practice of having meetings at a neutral venue like Amsterdam and, earlier, Bangkok.

The group of ministers led by Labour Minister Oscar Fernandes and its interlocutor K Padmanabhaiah represented the government. Top leaders Isak Chisi Swu and Thiungaleng Muivah were part of the seven-member NSCN (IM) delegation. Other members of the GoM, minister of state for PMO Prithviraj Chavan and minister of state for home S Regupathy, Union Home Secretary V K Duggal and home secretary-designate Madhukar Gupta were also present.