Extend ceasefire, Nagaland Cong urges Centre, NSCN factions

KOHIMA, July 20: Nagaland Pradesh Congress Committee (NPCC) has urged the Centre and Naga underground factions to extend the tenure of ongoing ceasefire in the state and declare unilateral truce among different factions to bring about sustainable peace in Nagaland, reports PTI. NPCC in its executive committee meeting here on Tuesday reviewed the present political situation in the state and resolved that to usher in real and sustainable peace, all underground factions should declare ceasefire among themselves. Favouring extension of ceasefire between the Centre and all the underground groups, the Pradesh Congress resolved to extend all "possible help and support' towards the peace efforts and creating a congenial atmosphere for political talks to hammer out a solution to the vexed Naga political problem, said a party release here on Wednesday. The executive meeting held at the residence of Chief Minister and NPCC president SC Jamir, expressed corner over unabated killings, extortions, intimidations, kidnappings, etc in the state. Referring to the controversies that errupted after its publication of a white paper entitled "Bedrock of Naga society" on 16-point agreement of 1960, the Pradesh Congress clarified that at no point of time the party had said the Naga political problem was resolved with the signing of the 1960 pact between the Centre and then Naga leaders. The 16-point agreement signed between the Centre and Naga People's Convention (NPC) under special circumstances at that point of time of Naga political history led to formation of Nagaland state in 1963. Defending the agreement, Congress maintained it bears fruits to the Nagas and the sole objective of the publication of the booklet was to invite "ideas and opinions so as to formulate acceptable and honourable solution to the vexed problem". "We have no other design or objective nor intention to sabotage the ongoing peace-talks between the Government of India and the NSCN(IM)," the release said.