NEW DELHI, Dec 1 ? The logjam has been removed and the Naga peace talks are back on tracks. The NSCN (I-M) leaders are tipped to arrive here later this week. The development came even as camps belonging to Khaplang faction of NSCN came under attack of Myanmar army across the border. The camps in which ULFA cadres were sheltered were also attacked, sources in Ministry of Home Affairs confirmed.
A spokesman of the Khaplang faction confirmed that Myanmar army launched attacks on their camps. He alleged that mostly innocent civilians were targeted by the army junta, adding that there was no casualty on NSCN (K) side. The spokesman said that gunfight was on between NSCN and its allies and the Myanmar army. The ULFA, which has its 128 battalion inside Myanmar and about 300-400 cadres was also reported to be engaged in the gunfight.
The army and security forces have already tightened vigilance along the international border and Assam Police has also sounded alert. Myanmar army had first targeted Manipur underground across Sajik Tampak area before training its focus on camps operated by Khaplang faction. Senior officials accompanying Prime Minister Dr Manmohan Singh confirmed that they were kept posted about the developments by Myanmar Government and everything were progressing as per plan.
The UPA Government heaved a sigh of relief when the NSCN (I-M) leadership relented to Centre?s pressure to come for talks to Delhi. Both chairman and general secretary of I-M, Isaac Chisi Swu and Th. Muivah are scheduled to arrive here on the night of December 5 for talks. They are also slated to visit Nagaland for Christmas, sources said.
Naga leaders had called off their November 28 visit following growing suspicion over alleged assistance by Government of India to rival NNC and Khaplang faction. The acrimonies war of words and clashes with Khalpang faction in Nagaland culminated in NSCN (I-M) leaders aborting their visit.
Though the Naga peace process itself had come under cloud, sources said, contacts were established with I-M leadership and all the apprehensions were allayed. No further clarifications have been sought on the subject from Government, sources said. The NSCN (I-M) not content with Chief Interlocutor, K.Padmanabhaiah?s clarification were insisting on explanation from Union Government. The Centre through Padmanabhaiah had denied its involvement in shipping arms to NNC and Khaplang factions.
The crisis saw Nagaland Chief Minister, N.Rio rushing to Delhi to try and save the talks. He suggested that an emissary should be sent to persuade the NSCN (I-M) leaders to come to India.
Meanwhile, Naga International Support Centre (NISC) called upon all to pursue peace for India and Nagaland, to bring about a solution honourable to both. Independence is the right of all peoples. Let these peace talks bring an end to 50 years of conflict and anxiety ensuring peace for the Naga generations to come, it said.
?Today, there is a peace process taking place between the Government of India and the NSCN, with a cease fire and genuine desire to end the 50 years of unrest. Now, the Government of India and NSCN have the opportunity to solve the problems generated in the past,? it said.
Meanwhile, Khaplang faction reported heavy clashes with rival I-M faction claiming that at least 12 cadres were killed and many wounded. The claim, however, could not be independently confirmed.
A senior Kilonser of Khaplang faction contacted newsmen here and reported that first clash took place in Nokyan and New Sangsa in Mon district on Monday followed by clashes in Noklak in Tuensang district. Clashes were also reported to have taken place in Tirap district in Arunachal Pradesh.