NEW DELHI, May 11 ? The Naga Consultation Meet endorsing the ongoing peace talks between the Government of India and NSCN (I-M) has, concluded with a clarion call to all Nagas to come forward to support the peace process to ensure solution of the political problem. The four-day meeting that ended on a positive note is likely to ensure continuation of the ceasefire and the political negotiations. It was convened by the NSCN (I-M) and attended by 73 delegates representing various Naga organisations including the all-powerful Naga Ho-ho, church leaders, social workers, besides special invitees like Mizoram Chief Minister Zoramthanga.
In a statement, Apam Muivah, the co-ordinator of NSCN (I-M), said that the third consultation meeting on ?strengthening the peace strategy? concluded with a four-point declaration. ?The Bangkok declaration has fully supported the ongoing political negotiation between the Government of India and the National Socialist Council of Nagalim, endorsed by the Naga Ho-ho, the churches and mass-based organisations to continue their leadership of the ongoing reconciliation process to achieve understanding and unity among the Nagas to strengthen the peace process,? the statement said.
The meeting itself was crucial given the misgivings over the extension of the area of ceasefire fiasco that triggered massive turmoil in Manipur, before the Centre ordered status quo. The action that provoked sharp reactions from the Naga outfit threatened the peace process. ?Everything is inter-related as nothing exists in isolation. We Nagas are connected to our neighbouring brothers and sisters by our common race, history, geography and culture,? NSCN(I-M) chairman Isak Chishi Swu said in his inaugural address at the Bangkok meet on Monday. The meeting mainly seen as a move by the NSCN(I-M) leadership to gauge the mood of the people on the ongoing peace process, could not have ended on a more acceptable note for the Government of India.
The overwhelming support of the delegates to the ongoing peace is also likely to pave the way for the NSCN (I-M) leaders including general secretary, Th Muivah and chairman Isak Chishi Swu?s visit to Delhi in near future for talks. An indication to this was the withdrawal of the cases by the Nagaland Government this week. This was one of the conditions put forward by the NSCN (I-M) for coming to India, the other pre-condition being withdrawal of the ban of the outfit.
Union Minister of State for Home Affairs, ID Swami, has already indicated that the Centre was willing to offer a safe passage to the leaders should they wish to visit Delhi. The glitches for the Union Government, however, would be bringing all the warring factions to the same negotiation table given the animosity the two factions of the NSCN harbour towards each other. Organisations like Naga Ho-ho, church leaders and various NGOs favour a comprehensive peace deal covering all the outfits and organisations. The state government has also made it clear to the Centre that peace deal with one outfit would have title impact and it should involve all factions and organisations. It may be recalled that the Government of India and NSCN (I-M) leadership had already agreed on a timeframe of two years to hammer out a pact last year. The NSCN (I-M) has, meanwhile, submitted a blue print to the Centre?s interlocutor, K Padmanabhaiah detailing their demand, which are currently being examined by the Union Government.