Naga groups fear talks collapse

Imphal, June 26: Prominent social organizations of Nagaland today warned of a collapse of the peace process between the Centre and NSCN factions if the Government did not recognize their demand for unification of all Naga dominated areas in North East as a "non-negotiable issue". "Unification of all Naga areas under a single administration is our birth right and a non-negotiable issue ...the extension of ceasefire between the Centre and NSCN factions could be a problem if this demand is not accepted," Naga Peoples Movement for Human Rights (NPMHR) spokesman Neingulo Krome told reporters here. The ceasefire, which has been extended every year since 1997, is set to expire on July 31. Besides Nagaland, there are Naga-dominated areas in Manipur, Assam, Arunachal Pradesh which Naga bodies waited to bring under the same umbrella but the other States are opposed to it. Krome, who met Prime Minister Manmohan Singh and Home Minister Shivraj Patil yesterday along with delegates of Naga Students Federation and Naga Mothers Association, said the leaders had assured them that "peace would continue in the State". The Naga delegates said the peace talks between the Centre and National Socialist Council of Nagaland (Issac-Muivah) were proceeding "satisfactorily till now". "Centre's interlocutor K Padmanabhaiah has handled the talks quite well till now and NSCN-IM is the most efficient group to take a decision that is acceptable to Naga people". "However, we expressed our resentment to the Prime Minister over the deliberate negligence and refusal to make any reference to the ongoing peace negotiations both in the Common Minimum Programme of UPA Government and the President's Address to Parliament," Krome said. The CMP also said the Government did not favour reorganization of States, pointed out NPMHR Convenor Y Vikheho Swu. "But we are hopeful that this will not automatically exclude our demand for unification of Naga areas as. the CMP itself says it is not exhaustive and people's sentiments' are foremost," he added. "Without this issue being addressed, a political solution to the vexed Naga issue cannot be reached," said Naga Students Federation president Achumbemo Kikon. The delegates also demanded repeal of the "draconian" Armed Forces (Special) Powers Act in operation in Nagaland and withdrawal of Disturbed Area Act. "The Special Powers Act is more draconian than POTA or TADA but no voice has been raised against it by civil liberties groups," Krome said.