IM sees ray of hope as talks conclude

Imphal, June 27: NSCN-IM Home Minister Rh Raising told Newmai News Network today that the Amsterdam peace -talks held between the NSCN-IM leaders and the Government of India concluded in a positive manner. However, the NSCN-IM Home Minister said that there was no discussion on serious agenda this time adding that the talk was just a cordial meeting of the new Congress led UPA Government with the Naga Peace talks as this was the first time for the Congress to interact with the NSCN-IM leaders though the talk had been between the Government of India irrespective of the political party heading the Govt in New Delhi. Rh Raising said that the details of the talks would be known only when another NSCN-IM top leader VS Atem returns from Amsterdam. Atem and two others from Dimapur had gone to the Netherlands to participate in the just concluded Naga Peace Talks. Meanwhile, reacting to conflicting reports on the June 15 shooting incident in Kohima town where two persons were seriously injured, the NSCN (IM) clarified that one of the injured, Yivungo Kikon, was an innocent post-graduate student and not a tax collector of the NSCN (IM) as alleged by rival NSCN (K). Charging the NSCN (K) of levelling 'wild allegations' against different groups in order to cover up their crimes against innocent civilians, NSCN (IM) deputy secretary (MIP), Akaho Assumi in a press statement said the NSCN (IM), as a responsible organization, verifies and investigates matters thoroughly before anything was said or done. He further clarified that the NSCN (IM), after proper investigation, found out that Yivungo was neither an intelligence official of any department nor a tax collector of the NSCN (IM).