Morung Express News
Dimapur | July 31
THE INDO-NAGA peace process took on a dramatic change today. Instead of the ceasefire determining the peace talks, it’s the other way round now.
The historic ceasefire talks held at Circuit House, Dimapur, resulted in extension of the Ceasefire between the Government of India and the NSCN (I-M) for an indefinite period of time, albeit with the focal condition that it is “subject to the progress of the talks.”
The onus now lies on the Centre and the NSCN (I-M) to pursue matters seriously as the state of affairs are now being termed as “fragile” by analysts. Muivah, “the master tactician”, had in 2005 pushed for a ceasefire of the same nature but some of his colleagues had rejected the same idea then and had persuaded him for holding the truce for a year only. Today, he is reported to have reminded in uncertain terms that any slackness on the Centre’s part would result in the talks being called off at “any time.”
Analysts say that in place of hurried pressure in the month of July every year before ceasefire extension, negotiators have to be on their toes now. Moreover, less time would be shed on deciding what to say before every ceasefire extension meeting.
The meeting lasted for about five hours, from 11 am to 3 pm, with both New Delhi and the NSCN (IM) describing it as “very cordial and free and frank exchange of views”.
Two weeks ago, another significant development had taken place when the Centre and the NSCN (I-M) had kept aside for the moment the issue of India not imposing its Constitution, and in the same manner, the Nagas had said they would not press for a separate constitution. The ‘Joint Working Group’ would study the modalities in this regard, it had been settled on.
Briefing media persons after the meeting today, “General (Rtd.)” VS Atem, the special emissary to the NSCN (IM) Collective Leadership said that the Naga people’s concern for early solution of talks were taken seriously and accordingly after reviewing the status of talks, the ceasefire was extended indefinitely with effect from August 1, 2007.
Today’s meeting also discussed the need to strengthen the monitoring system to ensure that “the ground situation remains conducive for the continuance of the ceasefire”. On being asked about the step taken for the strengthening of the monitoring system, Ceasefire monitoring chairman, Lt. General (retired) R V Kulkarni said that the two groups had arranged for a meeting to be held shortly with the Special Secretary, Home, and others at ‘higher levels’ to analyse every aspect of the ceasefire and see how to strengthen it.
To find a “workable solution”, concrete steps have to be taken because if “there is no progress there is no point of a ceasefire,” a senior NSCN (I-M) leader said and added that both negotiating sides have to treat today’s outcome as an “important agreement.”
The choice of the venue of the talks as agreed upon in the first agreement between negotiating sides (that it would be held in a third country) appears to be deviating for convenience sake and for speedier progress.
But what remains to be seen is more transparency in the talks, the imbibing of the voices of the Naga people for democratization of the process and most importantly, the taking of concrete steps.
Earlier this morning, negotiators arrived for talks as a large crowd rent the air with shouts of “We want solution. No solution, no extension of ceasefire.” They raised placards asking for an early solution and for dawn of peace.
A late-night press release of the NSCN (I-M) said, “In today’s decision, the interest of the people has been given all importance. And from time to time the Naga people opinions and views will be taken into consideration as talk progress because no decision will be taken without consulting the people.”
The Government of India has been asked to “respect the sentiment of the Naga people.”
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