Historic talks: Naga leaders to arrive in Delhi

Historic talks: Naga leaders to arrive in Delhi

Sunday, December 5, 2004 (New Delhi):

Leaders of the Naga insurgent group NSCN (I-M) will arrive in Delhi today for talks with the government.

The last time Isak Swu, chairman of NSCN (I-M), and T Muivah, the organisation's general secretary, had come to India was in January 2003.

But a lot has changed since then. This time their visit will be a long one, during which they will hold various rounds of talks.

While Swu and Muivah will meet Home Minister Shivraj Patil on Monday, they will hold parleys with Prime Minister Manmohan Singh on Tuesday.

The Home Minister has, however, refused to outline the agenda of the talks.

Significant visit

The visit is important, but the Centre is to be trying reduce the hype around it. It says the visit is just a step forward in a 50-year old dispute.

However, the trip almost got cancelled because NSCN (I-M) was worried that the rival underground groups were using the ceasefire to arm themselves and Delhi was dealing with other minor Naga groups.

But the good news for the Centre is that as the talks enter an intensive phase, umbrella organisation of Nagas - Naga Ho-Ho – has come out in support of the NSCN (I-M).

Nearly 20 members of the outfit have already reached Delhi as advance party and a Secretariat has already started functioning.

After spending a week in Delhi, the NSCN leaders will proceed to Nagaland for Christmas and New Year.

news from ndtv.com

(With PTI inputs)