NEW DELHI, March 7 — In a bid to capitalise on the ongoing peace talks with the NSCN (I-M), Centre has despatched Mizoram Chief Minister, Zoramthanga to Bangkok to open dialogue with pro-IM underground outfits including the NDFB, highly placed sources said. The development came at a time when name of former interlocutor, Swaraj Kaushal has again come into circulation as the next political negotiator for the Naga peace talks. The chief interlocutor, K Padmanabhiah may be on his way out with Centre looking for his successor.
Indications were that the Mizoram Chief Minister may have carried a message in this regard to the NSCN (IM) leadership about replacing Padmanabhiah. The former Home Secretary job was on the line after his now-famous interview to BJP mouthpiece Panchajanya which left the NSCN (IM) fuming. Sources said the Ministry of Home Affairs was in a spot after the interview and it took lot of persuasion to placate the IM leadership. As it was the Centre was toying with the proposal of appointing a political negotiator as the stage has been set for talks on substantive issues.
Earlier, the name of Communication Minister, Arun Shourie was suggested but it did not find favour with the IM. On the other hand, the Naga leaders indicated their preference for Defence Minister, George Fernandes, which the Government of India did not approve of. Swaraj Kaushal, an old North-East hand and expert in political negotiations having successfully engineered the Mizo Accord, had opted out of the Naga peace process after serious differences surfaced with the Prime Minister.
Significantly, during the NSCN (IM) leaders visit to Delhi, he hosted a luncheon meeting which was attended by a cross-section of Indian political leaders, former Prime Ministers, MPs among others. Sri Kaushal quit his job as the chief interlocutor reportedly over the issue of extension of the ceasefire pact to the Naga dominated areas. With the political climate in Nagaland having undergone a change with SC Jamir Government being trounced by rival N Rio-led DAN, the Centre apparently wishes to seize the opportunity.
Meanwhile, Mizoram Chief Minister in keeping with the direction of the Prime Minister has begun exploring the possibility of opening dialogue with various militant outfits. He has started his new assignment with all those outfits having close links with the NSCN (IM), sources said. According to sources, Zoramthanga is likely to open channel of communications with several militant outfits of Manipur and possibly NDFB of Assam. The outlawed ULFA, as the Mizoram Chief Minister said earlier has so far not responded to the offer for talks. Indications were that he is expected to take help of the IM faction to open dialogue. Significant in this regard is the appeal of the NSCN (IM) bosses to all the underground outfits to come forward for negotiations with the Government of India.