NSCN ceasefire may cover all Naga areas

GUWAHATI, January 17(UNI): The ceasefire with the National Socialist Council of Nagaland (NSCN) is likely to be extended to all Naga areas of the Northeastern region. A crucial meeting of the Chief Ministers of Northeastern region, besides that of Nagaland was being convened shortly to take the final decision, said the Joint Secretary of the Union Home ministry, GK Pillai. The July 1997 ceasefire with the rebels had been extended till July 31 with revised ground rules debarring the NSCN cadres to carry arms to all populated areas, besides there would be no safe havens. This was decided after three months long deliberations in New Delhi quietly. "So the ball is now in our court to extend the ceasefire to all Naga inhabited areas as have been demanded by the NSCN", said Pillai. The NSCN had been long demanding it but that have been opposed tooth and nail by the Chief Ministers of the neighboring States. The most vociferous of all were Manipur and Assam Chief ministers. However, Mizoram Government had supported the extension of ceasefire to their areas. "By and large the NSCN have met most of our objections in regard to ceasefire's territorial expansion. They have assured that they will close down the camps in Meghalaya and also stop supporting other militant groups," he said. The Centre and the NSCN reached several agreements in the recent meeting.