GUWAHATI, June 4 ? Though peace talks between the Government of India and the National Socialist Council of Nagalim (Isak-Muivah faction) are going on since 1997, it would take some more time before any agreement can be arrived at highly placed security sources said. Sources said that the public opinion in favour of peace in Nagaland is the biggest gain of the peace talks as different Naga social organisations and people in general are in favour of peace. The NSCN (I-M) has submitted a list of demands before the Government of India and discussions are now on those issues. But an acceptable formula for a long-lasting solution to the Naga problem has not yet been evolved and it would take some more time before such a formula can be evolved.
Security sources revealed that the Government of India is now in favour of a solution to the Naga problem involving all groups as signing of an agreement with only one group would not bring lasting solution to the problem. Some Naga social organisations have already started efforts for reconciliation between warring factions of the NSCN. ?The Naga groups would have to work for reconciliation among themselves as the Central Government can do very little in this regard?, sources pointed out.
The cease-fire agreement between the Government of India and the NSCN(K) was signed on April 28, 2001 and this has been extended by another year in April this year. But so far the Central Government has not discussed the political issues raised by the outfit. The demands for territories of other states by both factions of the NSCN would also turn out to be a major issue. The NSCN (IM)?s demand for inclusion of Naga inhabited areas of the neighbouring States including Manipur and Assam received still resistance and it would be impossible for the Central Government to accept the demand. It may be mentioned here that a move to extend the area under cease-fire to the neighbouring States witnessed violent reaction in Manipur while, the Government of Assam had also strongly opposed the move, forcing the Central Government to withdraw the same.
The NSCN(K), on the other hand, has demanded inclusion of Naga-dominated areas of Myanmar in Nagaland. The NSCN(K) is of the view that over the years, the Government of Myanmar never bothered to work for the development of those areas. But security sources pointed out that it would be impossible for the Government of India to demand the territory of another country to meet the demand of NSCN(K).