In a major breakthrough, the Centre and NSCN (I-M) leadership have resolved to thrash out differences and reach an agreement within this year.
Disclosing that several contentious issues have already been discussed with a delegation of the NSCN (I-M), led by its chairman Isak Chisi Swu and general secretary Thuingaleng Muivah, and Central government interlocutor R.N. Ravi, authoritative security sources told this newspaper that since the format for talks has changed, several rounds of discussions were held between the Centre and the Naga leadership.
Admitting that the new government was proactively pursuing talks with all insurgent groups engaged in the peace process in the north-eastern states, security sources said that the home ministry was also exploring the possibility of accelerating talks with the Khaplang faction of the NSCN.
Clarifying that the MHA has no proposal to end the 15-year-old ceasefire with the NSCN (Khaplang) unless the outfit intends to do so, the sources said that the MHA may ask the Khaplang faction to desist from patronising insurgent groups in the region. The ceasefire between the Centre and the Khaplang faction expires on April 29.
Indicating that some leaders of the Khaplang faction may have been feeling the pressure of security forces, the sources said that the MHA was determined not to allow any insurgent groups to violate the ground rules of the ceasefire. Sources admitted that some leaders of the Khaplang faction were found to have been taking the advantage of the ceasefire and hobnobbing with anti-India forces across the border in Myanmar. They informed that the ongoing talks with the United Liberation Front of Asom in Assam are almost in the final stage.
