Morung Express News
Dimapur | July 16
Isak Chishi Swu and Thuingaleng Muivah today flew to New Delhi from Dimapur to continue dialogue with the Centre, albeit with a purpose of discussing the ‘issue’ first before touching on extension of the ceasefire. The NSCN (I-M) collective leadership is accompanied by 14 others, including security men.
A top official of the organization which has been engaged in parleys with the Union government for the last 10 years said: “Ceasefire is just a means to a solution. Something tangible has to be worked out.” Based on the Centre’s response to the issue, discussions on the ceasefire will be carried out, he said.
He blamed the Centre for not being able to take “bold steps” even after the NSCN (I-M) had submitted its proposals for a solution “mutually acceptable to both sides.” On the much-debated topic of unification, he said, “The people and their land cannot be separated.” There is no basis for the talks if unification is not taken into account, he added. “This time, the talks cannot be taken lightly.”
The next round of talks is to begin on July 20, sources said. The ceasefire expires on the last day of this month. The NSCN (I-M) team will discuss issues with a central team of ministers led by Oscar Fernandes and interlocutor for the talks, K Padmanabhaiah.
Before leaving for the airport, Swu and Muivah addressed a hurriedly-called meeting of civil society and a gathering of the public, where both leaders asked cadres to repent. “We do not know the outcome (of the talks) but pray for us,” Swu said. He said that “the Indo-Naga political process is the longest political negotiation in the world and it is in the hands of God and if we have faith, He will open up ways for the Nagas.”
Muivah left the fate of the talks in “Jehovah’s hands.” He reminded that “so long as the Nagas realize their mistakes and repent we will not achieve anything.” “Let us dig into the past and realize our mistakes. We have the obligation to confess our sins,” he said.
Naga Council Dimapur President, Savi Liegise, speaking at the occassion said: “We are with you. Do not be afraid to speak for God is with us.We should have an honourable solution because people deserve it.”
The Human Side
Young faces offered polite smiles with looks of innocence, curiosity and even shyness but when asked what would happen if the 10 year old Ceasefire was not extended, there was only one answer, “We fight”. Smartly dressed in the uniforms, these young cadres stood on guard as the team of the collective leadership held a public meeting before leaving for the peace talks in Delhi. As the entire gathering stood up for a mass prayer before the Naga delegates left for the airport, a young soldier could be seen with bowed head, eyes tightly closed and unmoving lips, offering God his own silent application.
On the “national Ahza” ordering their cadres to return to the designated camp, one cadre said that they were just alert but not really tense. “After our long patience, if the Ceasefire is broken because of their (GOI) arrogance, then we are ready for anything”, the cadre stated adding that they would fight if they had to.
Though admitting that after 10 years of ceasefire, they were more vulnerable with the Indian Army having access to new information, another cadre reaffirmed that there was no two ways about it. They were ready to fight. That’s why they had joined the NSCN-IM and they would not back out from their duties.
There was no doubting their simple straight answers and the resolution in those young eyes. As one groped for words in the face of such calmness, the young solder smiled and said, “Let us just pray for the best”.
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