DIMAPUR, May 1 —The Consultative Committee for Peace, set up by the ruling Democratic Alliance government in Nagaland, headed by the state Chief Minister Neiphiu Rio in its first meeting held at Kohima on Tuesday has decided not to recommend extension of ‘Disturbed Area’ notification under Armed Forces (Special Powers) Act, 1958 in 20 km belt bordering Assam beyond May 4 next.
The committee also decided to convey the state Government’s view to the Central Government for further necessary action. The Committee after thorough deliberations also expressed its happiness and welcomed the extension of ceasefire between the Government of India and the NSCN (K) for a further period of one year. It further reiterated the commitment of the Government to the peace process and decided to vigorously pursue the matter. The Committee shall extend full support to various NGOs in their efforts to bring about peace and reconciliation among the Nagas, sources said. The meeting was attended by almost all the members of the committee, though former chief minister who is also the chairman of the Democratic Alliance of Nagaland, Hokishe Sema could not attend due to health problem.
The committee would work towards bringing the “Nagas closer,” said one of the member coming out of the meeting adding that active participation of both Mon and Tuensang districts in the peace process was also discussed. Both the factions of the NSCN did not differ much in ideology and the committee would work towards bringing them together to the negotiation table, he maintained.
Later Dr TM Lotha, Nagaland Home Minister told media that the meeting among other issues also deliberated on the crucial issue of the maintenance of the ceasefire ground rules. Both the factions would be approached so that they follow the ground rules of their respective ceasefires in its true terms, as ceasefire without obeying the ground rules has no meaning, he said.
The consultative committee for peace set up by the ruling DAN government, under the chairmanship of Nagaland Chief Minister Neiphiu Rio, to expedite the ongoing peace process and to bring the “warring factions to the negotiating table” comprises of 23 members.“Besides, ministers of the ruling DAN government, former Chief Ministers-- Vizol and Hokishe, members of the committee also includes wife of the first Chief Minister of Nagaland T Shilu Ao, Padamshree Chubala Ao.