Insurgency / Nagaland

Guwahati, Jan. 9: The NSCN (I-M) today said it has not given up its demand for “self-determination” and its decision to hold “unconditional talks” in an “accommodative spirit” did not mean it has agreed to talks within the framework of the Constitution. “By an accommodative spirit, we mean that our efforts will be to find a solution that is honourable and acceptable to both sides,” NSCN (I-M) deputy kilonser V. Horam told The Telegraph over telephone from Dimapur.

He further stated it would be wrong to attach a “political connotation” to the fact that its leaders — Isak Chisi Swu and...

New Delhi, Jan. 9: They apparently came unannounced to pay their respects to the Father of the Nation. When Nationalist Socialist Council of Nagalim (Isak-Muivah) leaders Thuingaleng Muivah and Isak Chisi Swu turned up at the Rajghat VIP gate, officials of the Rajghat Samadhi Committee had to rush to let them in. All the bustle early in the day at the memorial failed to alert them to the leaders’ impending visit.

NSCN(I-M) chairman Swu laid a wreath and said: “We have great respect for the Father of the Nation. May the Almighty bless his soul.”

Swu was speaking for many other Nagas for they...

New Delhi, Jan. 9: The first round of talks between the NSCN (I-M) top brass and Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee on Indian soil got off to a smooth start with the Naga leaders praising the wisdom and maturity of the current Indian leadership. The contours of the negotiations will be put on the table when NSCN (I-M) chairman Isak Chisi Swu and secretary-general Thuingaleng Muivah start substantive talks with deputy Prime Minister L.K. Advani tomorrow evening.

The concept of a “traditional Naga homeland” — depending on the NSCN (I-M)’s interpretation and the extent to which the Indian...

New Delhi, January 9: The much-awaited talks between Prime Minister Atal Behari Vajpayee and Naga insurgent leaders of NSCN (I-M) kicked off on an optimistic note. Freezing discussions on all contentious issues including NSCN (I-M)’s controversial demand for a Greater Nagaland, a positive picture emerged after the 40-minute meeting, described as ‘‘cordial and friendly’’ by Isak Chishi Swu, chairman of the organisation.

The focus, according to sources, was on building confidence between the two sides for a step-by-step solution to the decades-old insurgency in Nagaland — and on development and...

Guwahati, January 9: With the NSCN(IM) leaders already in Delhi for talks with the Centre, several smaller underground outfits of the North-East have started showing readiness to come to the negotiating table.

One of the first to have shown such interest is the Dima Halam Daoga, a group operating in Assam’s North Cachar Hills district. The DHD has been demanding a separate state for the state’s Dimasa tribals.

Last week, the outfit announced a unilateral ceasefire for six months, with its vice-chairman Dilip Nunisa saying it was encouraged by the manner in which the Government had responded...

Imphal, January 08: Thousands of people marched in a procession in the state capita] here today against any move to disintegrate Manipur during the first over Naga peace talks on Indian soil between the centre and the NSCN(IM) in New Delhi tomorrow. The processionists gathered at Thau ground. Around 12.45 pm the rallyists marched towards Khuyathong, then proceeded towards Nagamapal and passed through Wahengbam Leikai, Keishamthong, Yaiskul and marched on at Thambuthong and Thangapat areas, it proceeded towards Wangkhei, New Checkon, Minuthong and culmianted at Khuman Lampak. where a public...

Jan. 8: After over five years of parleys on foreign shores, the Naga peace process moves to India tomorrow when the “collective leadership” of the NSCN (I-M) meets the “Central leadership” in New Delhi in what has been described as a “historic date” in the five-decade-old Naga movement. Barring a last-minute change in schedule, NSCN (I-M) leaders Isak Chishi Swu and Thuingaleng Muivah will meet Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee and deputy Prime Minister L.K. Advani to launch the first round of political talks on “substantive issues”.

During their stay in India, the duo, scheduled to reach...

New Delhi, Jan. 8: All arrangements are in place for NSCN leaders Thuingaleng Muivah and Isak Chisi Swu’s visit to India, including their personal security guards and special cooks flown in from Dimapur. The interaction of Muivah and Swu with India’s top political leadership will set the tone for the peace talks aimed at ending one of the country’s oldest separatist movements.

The Intelligence Bureau will be responsible for the overall security of the two Naga leaders and senior members assembled in the national capital. The inner security cordon around Swu and Muivah will be manned by NSCN...

Kohima, Jan. 8: Springing a surprise a few hours before Isak Chisi Swu and Thuingaleng Muivah were to reach New Delhi, the Khaplang faction of the NSCN indicated that its top leaders, including chairman S.S. Khaplang, could return to India later in the year for “political negotiations” with the Centre. Khughalu Mulatonu, a deputy kilonser (minister) in the NSCN (K) hierarchy, told The Telegraph over phone that his outfit had lined up “something very positive” for Nagaland. “Khaplang is keen to come to India and lay the stepping stone for a political process,” he said.

Khaplang, a Hemi Naga and...

Imphal, Jan. 8: Manipuris vowed to protect the territorial integrity of the state today, a day before the National Socialist Council of Nagalim (Isak-Muivah) leaders Isak Chisi Swu and Thuingaleng Muivah meet Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee for talks on the issue of “Greater Nagalim”. A mammoth rally, organised by the Solidarity Committee on the Territorial-Ethnic Integrity of Manipur (SCTEIM), was supported by more than 300 social organisations, including women’s organisations. Nearly one lakh people from all communities, including Nagas, attended the rally.

The rally began from the...