NEW DELHI, Nov 18 ? The internecine fight between the rival Isaac Muivah and Khaplang factions that threatened to cast a shadow over the peace talks today forced the Centre?s interlocutor, K Padmanabhaiah to deny arming the Khaplang faction.
The war of words between the two rival factions that threatened to spiral out of control that too on the eve of arrival of the NSCN (IM) leaders to Delhi has led the Centre to issue strong denial reaffirming that the Naga leaders? visit to Delhi for dialogue was on.
In a statement, the Interlocutor said that the Government would like to assure the NSCN (IM) leaders that there was no question of encouraging other Naga groups when talks are only with the I-M group.
?It may be possible that one group or the other may have become more active and may say or do things to create roadblocks in the talks, now that they have reached a crucial stage, but wisdom would lie in ignoring such extraneous factors and to continue with the peace process as scheduled,? the statement said.
Padmanabhaiah?s reaction came after the I-M faction threatened to walk out of the peace process unless Government of India clarified the issues. The NSCN(IM) even threatened to call off the proposed visit to New Delhi scheduled for later this month. They charged the Union Government of secretly arming its rivals? Federal Government of Nagaland (FGN) and Khaplang faction to diminish its influence in Naga areas.
K Chawang, a leader of the outfit alleged, they had concrete evidence that the FGN group was supplied with at least 80 Self Loading Rifles, which are made in Indian Arms Ordinance Factory only.
?The RAW (Research and Analysis Wing), IB (Intelligence Bureau) as well as the Military Intelligence (MI) are arming the NSCN-K and the FGN, that?s how they are fighting against the Naga people?, remarked Chawang.
The growing belligerence of the rival Khaplang faction has shocked the I-M faction. The finance minister of Khaplang faction, K Mulatonu last month told newsmen that they had serious objection to Government?s policy of talking to one faction and leaving out the rest. He even questioned the rival faction?s claim to represent the Naga community.
?There is no logic or reason for the Government of India or its agencies to support NNC or Khaplang faction. Government is negotiating with the NSCN (IM) only and there can be no reason whatsoever for the Government to jeopardise the peace talks. There is no truth in the allegation that the government or its agencies are encouraging either of these two groups, Padmanabhaiah said.
?The Government of India has no doubt about the sincerity of the NSCN (IM) in finding a peaceful solution and they should not have any doubt about Government?s sincerity and the Centre hopes that the peace process would continue as per schedule,? Padmanabhaiah said.
The rival Khaplang faction in an apparent move aimed at embarrassing the I-M leadership said they have to make public the outcome of the discussions they have had so far before landing in Nagaland.