NSCN flays UCM's remarks on talks

KOHIMA, May 14 ? The NSCN (I-M) on Tuesday criticised the statements of Manipur?s United Council of Manipuris (UCM) on the current Naga peace talks and termed such observations as ?propaganda?, reports PTI. The Information and Publicity wing of the underground outfit, which is in talks with the Centre for finding an amicable solution to the vexed Naga problem, while describing the UCM ?outbursts? as ?most unhealthy and unwarranted? at a time when a peaceful solution is sought for, urged the council not to mislead the Meities and create animosity with the Nagas inhabiting in Manipur. In a statement here, the outfit asserted that Nagas have nothing to do with the aspirations of UCM and appealed to the Meitie organisation not to interfere into the Naga peace process at this juncture. The NSCN (I-M) said they saw ?no reason why the Naga people?s search for a solution to the vexed issue should be opposed by UCM? and maintained that all peace loving people should welcome the on-going peace process so as to end the decades-long political conflict. Casting aspersions over the recent Bangkok talks between NSCN (I-M) leadership and the Centre?s chief interlocutor K Padmanabhaiah, UCM insisted that such dialogues should not be held without the knowledge of Manipuris and their State government. UCM had stated that any talks with any armed group, which might disturb the territorial integrity of Manipur, should not be held as it might lead to communal flare-up because the Naga leaders in Manipur had been demanding merger or transfer of some hill districts of Manipur to Nagaland. In a representation, UCM had urged Prime Minister Atal Behari Vajpayee to involve the people of Manipur and the State government in the Naga peace talks, saying the participation of Mizoram Chief Minister Zoramthanga in the peace process had given rise to ?fresh apprehension? in the minds of the people of Manipur.