NEW DELHI, OCT 6 (AGENCIES): The next round of talks between the Government of India and NSCN (IM) would be held on October 9 in Bangkok, Union Minister Oscar Fernandes who heads the Group of Ministers on Naga negotiations said here today.
Talks are likely to centre round the demand of integrating all Naga inhabited areas in the region, according to Kraibo Chawang, Deputy Kilonser MIP. He said the government’s chief peace interlocutor K. Padmanabhaiah was expected to lead the talks, while the NSCN-IM delegation would be led by Isak Chishi Swu and Thuingaleng Muivah Chairman and General Secretary respectively of the outfit.
The NSCN-IM is currently holding peace talks with New Delhi after the two sides entered into a ceasefire in 1997. New Delhi is also operating a ceasefire with the rival NSCN faction headed by S.S. Khaplang since 2001 although formal talks are yet to begin.
Ahead of the Bangkok talks, the NSCN-IM has warned that the eight-year ceasefire could be under threat if New Delhi fails to bring about an early settlement.
On Wednesday, five suspected NSCN-IM cadres were killed by police in a gun battle in neighbouring Meghalaya.
At least 40 rounds of talks have been held since the ceasefire in 1997 with most of the negotiations taking place abroad as both Swu and Muivah have been living in self-imposed exile in Southeast Asian cities for 38 years.
