IMPHAL, March 9 — Manipur Chief Minister Okram Ibobi Singh has close touch with his Mizoram counterpart Zoramthanga over the Indo-Nagaland peace talks which is likely to resume within this month. The Mizoram Chief Minister left the capital Aizawl for Bangkok via Kolkata on March 5. The Zoramthanga’s latest visit to the Thai capital is being largely perceived as one aimed at preparing suitable grounds for the next rounds of peace talks between the Centre and the National Socialist Council of Nagalim (IM), scheduled to take place soon. Chief Minister Zoramthanga, who used to be a member of the underground Mizo National Front (MNF), will reportedly discuss with the NSCN (IM) leadership several crucial issues before the formal talks between the Centre and the Naga outfit begin.
This include the militant outfit’s demand for a greater Nagaland; a demand that is strongly opposed by neighboring states like Manipur and Arunachal Pradesh, who may have to concede a considerable part of their own territories if greater Nagaland were to become a reality. Meanwhile, the Zoramthanga has had detailed consultations with the Manipur Chief Minister Ibobi Singh early this year. The Manipur CM has made clear his opposition over the greater Nagaland demand made by the rebel outfit as a condition for peace talks. However, Chief Minister Zoramthanga has vigorously pursued these issues with the Manipur chief minister.
Zoramthanga has although turned down a request by the Prime Minister to act as a political negotiator in the peace talks, he has nevertheless emerged as a key figure in the Naga problem solution. Reports say, that apart from the Isaak-Muivah faction, he has made some significant progress in bringing the SS Khaplang faction of the NSCN to the negotiating table. With the Centre insisting that the next round of talks take place only after the completion of the assembly elections, the Mizoram Chief Minister’s present visit to Bangkok assumes greater significance as Nagaland heads for a major political change as the Democratic Alliance of Nagaland (DAN), which includes the BJP, assumes power. Meanwhile, the opposition parties in the state has taken great exception to Zoramthanga involving himself in what they consider to be “none of the Mizos’ business”.