NSCN-IM leaders to meet rival groups on home turf

Leaders of Naga insurgent group NSCN (IM), who reached Nagaland today, are likely to meet other groups, including arch-rivals NSCN (K), whic...

Leaders of Naga insurgent group NSCN (IM), who reached Nagaland today, are likely to meet other groups, including arch-rivals NSCN (K), which it holds responsible for the attack last Thursday on an NSCN (IM) camp in Manipur. Sources within the group said while no meetings were pre-planned, an open invitation had been given to any rival groups who wanted to contribute to the imminent peace process, likely to begin in New Delhi next month.

Last week in the Capital, NSCN (IM) chairman Isak Chishi Swu and general secretary Thuingaleng Muivah made it clear that their intention was to unify the Naga cause as much as they could before dialogue with the UPA government.

Though the group’s emissary Gen V.S. Atem said it was upto the government to involve the Nagaland state administration in the peace process, the NSCN (IM)’s agenda in the state includes ‘‘taking into confidence” the other Naga separatist groups, including the Kuki National Front (KNF). NSCN (IM) group’s general secretary Thuingaleng Muivah called for a ‘‘more realistic” approach by making the Naga cause a single one.

Sources within the group said meetings with rival groups would ‘‘ensure smooth-sailing for the talks in Delhi. The leaders will also be meeting NSCN (IM) activists in the state and appraise them of the progress, and their plans for the peace process in Delhi. It has been a long time since the leaders met the cadres, so the visit will also be to motivate them,” sources add.