Kohima: After a gap of over two years, formal talks have resumed between the Centre and the NSCN(IM) to find a solution to the decades-old Naga political imbroglio.
A statement issued by the NSCN(IM) said the talks resumed on July 16 in New Delhi.
Ajit Lal, who is representing the government in the formal talks, has said that even if there are difficulties involved, he is hopeful “to bridge the gap and pursue the matter for an early solution”.
The statement quoted NSCN(IM) general secretary Th Muivah as having mentioned that the “basis has already been laid and both should go forward.” It further said that both sides “are positive and agreed to embark on the peace process with renewed and earnest commitment.”
Meanwhile, government representatives and members of NSCN(IM) Cease-Fire Monitoring Cell (CFMC) held its 71st CFMG meeting at Police complex, Chumukedima here yon Thursday. CFMG Chairman Lieutenant General (retd) N K Singh told mediapersons after the meeting that the government through the CFMG has asked the NSCN(IM) to hand over the six accused involved in the killing of nine persons, whose bodies were recovered at Pachaspura, Chumukedima on January 3.
The matter was, however, still under discussion, he said. Singh said the NSCN(IM) was also urged to confine their cadre inside camps, as per the ceasefire ground rules.
The increasing number of “extortion” cases, kidnapping, harassment to public, he said, could be reduced once the cadre were confined within their respective camps.
Another issue discussed at the meeting was the territorial jurisdiction of ceasefire which the NSCN(IM) insists should be without any territorial limit, but the government is very clear that the ceasefire is limited to Nagaland, Singh said.
The NSCN (IM) entered into a truce with the Government of India in 1997 and since then several rounds of talks were held. (PTI)
