Ball in NSCN-IM's court: Jamir

DIMAPUR, June 26: Nagaland Chief minister SC Jamir said, that by withdrawing the arrest warrants issued against the senior leaders of the NSCN-IM we have cleared all the obstacles to pave the way for their return to India for continuing the ongoing peace talks in the Indian soil.? Jamir said, ?Now the ball is in their court we have cleared all the obstacles as announced earlier.? It may be recalled that Jamir earlier on February 22 in order to create a congenial environment of goodwill and understanding as well to facilitate the ongoing talks between the NSCN-IM and the Centre, while addressing a large gathering of the Sema tribesmen at Pughoboto, the sub divisional headquarter town under which the home village of Isak Chishi Swu the chairman of NSCN-IM, Chishilimi falls, announced that his government would withdraw arrest warrants issued against the senior leaders of the NSCN-IM, who were accused of masterminding an ambush on his convey on November 29, 1999 near Piphema, 45 kms from the State Capital. Jamir escaped with slight injuries while two of his security personnel were killed on the spot. The charges levelled against its senior leaders were out-rightly rejected by NSCN-IM. He also announced on the occasion, ?I am prepared to forgive everyone for whatever they have done to me, they have attempted 3-4 times to kill me but in the interest of all Nagas, I have forgiven them.? ?We would and are committed to clear all obstacles coming on the way to bring peace to the state, which is possible only through peaceful negotiation and by involving all sections of the Naga society? Jamir said adding ?unless the Nagas, are united no solution could be hammered out.? Meanwhile, giving a major boost to the ongoing peace talks in between New Delhi and the NSCN-IM the Government of Nagaland has formally withdrawn the warrants of arrest issued against Thuingaleng Muivah, general secretary and also the warrant and cash rewards for information leading to the arrest of the commander-in-chief of the NSCN-IM, HS Ramsan Tangkhul alias Hangshi Tangkhul. According to State government, the arrest warrant against Thuingaleng Muivah was withdrawn following a petition filed by the Nagaland Police and subsequent order on withdrawal of the arrest warrant passed by the District Magistrate Court, Dimapur on June 17 last. It also stated that the state government, through a separate memorandum, had withdrawn the cash reward of Rs 10 Lakh announced earlier for information, which lead to the arrest of Gen. HS Ramsan Tangkhul C-in C of the NSCN-IM. The same was issued earlier for his suspected involvement in the attempt of the life of Chief Minister, SC Jamir. Following the incident, a case 0031/99 was registered at Medziphema Police Station and arrest warrants were issued against the NSCN-IM leaders. The Union Home Minister LK Advani in a letter to the chief minister welcomed the latter?s initiative stating that it would help to accelerate the ongoing peace process. Meanwhile, the DGP Nagaland Hesso Mao has confirmed that no court of Nagaland has ever issued any warrent against the Isak Chishi Swu, the chairman of NSCN-IM.