Morung Express News
Dimapur | July 30
THE CENTRE and the NSCN (I-M) are to meet on Tuesday at 11 am to discuss extension of the ceasefire at Dimapur circuit house, where a public reception will greet the negotiators.
Led by Union Labour Minister Oscar Fernandes, the Central team consisting of interlocutor K Padmanabhaiah, Intelligence Bureau Chief Ajit Lal and Secretary of Ministry of Home Affairs Naveen Verma, among others, is expected to reach the Police guest house in Chumukedima at 9:30 am before they proceed for the talks.
From the NSCN (I-M) side, 22 representatives led by their Chairman Isak Chishi Swu and General Secretary Th. Muivah are to attend the meeting, sources said. However, Swu is expected to exit soon after he exhorts both sides to “talk well.”
Other representatives from the Naga group include Convenor of the steering committee Qevihe Chishi, Special Emissary to the Collective Leadership VS Atem and Speaker of the ‘Tatar Hoho’ AK Lungalang.
After their recent consultative meet, the NSCN (I-M) is anticipated to press its case harder by asking New Delhi to give reason as to why the ceasefire should be extended if no tangible results are in the offing. “Naga people will no longer take dilly-dallying but want a result-oriented solution,” a senior official of the organization said. “We don’t say ceasefire is wasted, but it has not delivered as expected.” The Nagas want the period of ceasefire to be extended for a short period to see if the “Government of India can take some concrete steps,” he claimed.
Naga Hoho Vice President Keviletuo Kiewhuo is of the view that “if there is no political progress the question of ceasefire does not arise.” The ceasefire talks are expected to be crucial in the journey of the peace process that began in 1997.
Meanwhile, security has been beefed up in and around Dimapur for the ceasefire extension talks that coincide with Union DoNER Minister Mani Shankar Aiyar’s visit here. Police sources said additional force have been requisitioned to work in tandem with the Assam Rifles, the Central Reserve Police Force and other security agencies.
While frisking of vehicles and persons have been ruled out by the Police, intense patrolling is being undertaken.
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