New Delhi, January 11: Isak Chishi Swu and Thuingaleng Muivah today assured Defence Minister George Fernandes that NSCN (I-M) will not target the Indian army any more. The unscheduled meeting with Fernandes turned out to be more significant than either side had expected as the minister too reciprocated in kind, saying that their cadres would not be ‘‘victimised unnecessarily.’’ The insurgent leaders had sought an appointment with Fernandes, known to be a Northeast sympathiser, only late last evening. He obliged and agreed to meet them despite the Governor’s meeting today.
Both the leaders emerged happy and smiling from the meeting which lasted over an hour. Isak, trying to play down the critical assurance given to the minister, said that they had agreed to ‘‘no more fighting’’ between Indian Army and Nagas.
‘‘I want to tell you that there will be no more fighting between Indians and the Nagas. That is the understanding we have reached now,’’ Swu, the chairman of the insurgent group, said.
In fact, the discussions went off so well that the NSCN leaders have sought another meeting with the minister. The date has not been finalised but Fernandes has agreed to meet them once again before they leave India on January 20.
According to sources, the NSCN leaders felt comfortable with Fernandes because he is concerned about the movements in the Northeast. ‘‘He has always taken special care of the Northeast and J & K. Moreover, Fernandes has been talking to Naga rebels even in Nagaland,’’ sources added.