Naga peace talks reach crucial stage: Issac

KOHIMA, March 23 ? NSCN-(I-M) chairman, Issac Chisi Swu recently said that the on-going peace talks with the Union Government had reached a crucial stage and it was time to take bold steps for a lasting solution to the decades-old Naga problem, reports PTI. ?During the past five years, we are making a snail pace in that direction despite all the obstacles. But now the crucial stage has arrived for both sides to take bold steps to break through the hurdles to bring a lasting solution (to Naga problem)?, the chairman said in a message to the Naga people on the occasion of ?23rd Naga republic Day?. He, however, said NSCN(I-M) understood the ?difficulties? of the Union Government while carrying the current Naga peace process to its logical end, but expressed hope that, New Delhi would realise the ?uniqueness of Naga history?. ?We told Indian leaders during talks that we are ready to understand the difficulties of India and come as close as possible provided they do understand the uniqueness of our history?, he said. He also stated that the Government which had been dealing with the Naga issue as a mere law-and-order problem, ultimately sent the positive signals for political talks and thus the current peace process emerged. The Naga peace talks began in 1997. Extending full support to Naga civil society for their initiative to bring about unity among different sections of the Nagas, the NSCN(I-M) chairman lauded the Naga re-conciliation move initiated by the apex tribal council, Naga Hoho, and encouraged it to work tirelessly towards that end. ?We have opened enough space to the Naga people to accommodate their views on the peace process, he said, and appealed them to avail the opportunity and contribute their ideas to the peace initiative. He said that NSCN(I-M) would take the people along with them while arriving at the final settlement with the Union Government. Stating that a wind of change was blowing all over the world, the chairman urged the Naga people to exercise extreme patience, endurance and humility at this crucial juncture of Naga political movement.