Naga Talks Fail To Make Headway

"If the government forces attack us, we will retaliate, there will be war. It will be a war imposed on us" says Muviah

Updated on: 23 May 2001 12:00 am

On a day when the Kashmir ceasefire overshadowed the northeastern one,crucial talks between prime minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee's emissary and thedominant underground NSCN (IM) today failed to make headway on the extension ofceasefire beyond Nagaland but a last ditch effort may be made tomorrow tosalvage the negotiation.

The emissary K.Padmanabhaiah, who held two-day parleys with NSCN (IM) generalsecretary T. Muivah here, said "the two sides discussed threadbare allissues but reached no conclusion."

The main problem centred around the area of the ceasefire coverage, he saidadding "there are operational issues involved in extending the ceasefirewhich are creating problems."

He, however, said the two sides may meet again for a "short while"tomorrow to discuss the issue.

Muivah said unless the ceasfire coverage issue was made clear "it ismeaningless to hold talks".

NSCN (IM) feels the government has not honoured its promise of extending theceasefire to all Naga inhabited areas bordering Nagaland, Muivah said.

Asked if the NSCN would continue to honour the ceasefire agreement whichexpires in July, he said "it is likely to be over, but not not necessarilyimmediately. But we have decided that the ceasefire has no meaning."

In reply to a question, he said "if the government forces attack us, wewill retaliate, there will be war. It will be a war imposed on us."

Muivah said there were "major problems on the coverage issue... Thereare vast differences and we feel betrayed by India for not honouring itspromises."

Padmanabhaia, former union home secretary, said there were certain fears instates which have Naga inhabited areas over the impact of the extension of theceasefire.

"Their fears have to be allayed. We have to see the impact of theceasefire," he said.

Muivah, however, brushed away these concerns saying that when the ceasefireagreement was reached the outfit had "never agreed that the truce should belimited to only Nagaland."

He also said he would prefer to discuss the issue with political leadersrather than with a bureaucrat as it "is a political issue."

Muivah alleged that the rival khaplang faction of nscn had been armed by thegovernment and was collaborating with the authorities against NSCN (IM).