The suspense: Where are the Naga leaders staying? Several stories specially are doing the rounds with a prying media brigade haunting all possible leads. While some reports indicated that they were being hosted in a five star hotel others suggested guesthouses of para-military forces that are located in different parts of Delhi and farm houses located on the outskirts of the city. However, it appears that the Naga leaders have been settled in secret IB safe house, which is a Type-Six Government quarter located in a post government colony in South Delhi.
Hosting the NSCN (I-M) leaders in a Government quarter would not prove to be much of a problem for the IB, which is coordinating their tour, as far as food is concerned. The reason the NSCN cadres part of a 22-strong delegation have brought with cooks and other domestic helps for their leaders. While the IB is has taken lightly to the arrival of the cooks, it is however, very serious about the personal security officers (PSOs) reported to be highly trained I-M cadres who are led by a self-styled major, who have arrived to guard their supreme commanders. While they have been allowed to hang around and provide outer cover they have all been barred from carrying any weapons on them. The I-M security detachments included two ADCs and eight PSOs.
Security of the I-M leaders particularly Muivah and Swu is a matter of concern. The NISC for instance has asked would the Government of India be able to guarantee their safety when we remember not even parliamentarians like Phoolan Devi or the Parliament itself is free from deadly attacks. This for leaders of an outfit that still strike terror in the North East. Going further on the political aspect the NISC has said the talks could break down leaving the question open on how the Government of India would react at that setback surely felt by both parties. Will the Government of India be capable of containing opposing parties that benefit from a volatile and thus unsettled conflict? The Central Government wished it had answers to the question for half of its trouble would have been over!
About 200 people mainly Naga students and delegates from Nagaland arrived at the Indira Gandhi International Airport braving the biting cold to receive their leaders. But only a handful selected few were allowed into the VIP lounge. Upon their arrival the leaders were presented with traditional Naga shawls and dao. The NSCN (I-M) leaders exchanged pleasantries with their colleagues and supporters before being whisked away by security sleuths.