KOHIMA, July 2 ? Senior leaders of the Issac-Muivha faction of NSCN, which entered into a ceasefire with the Centre in August 1997, have stressed strengthening the current Naga peace process by bringing about understanding and reconciliation among different underground groups, reports PTI. AK Lungalang, newly appointed ?kilo kilonser? (home minister) of the underground outfit, said NSCN (I-M) would explore all possibilities to spread awareness to strengthen the ongoing peace process. It was fully committed to unity and reconciliation within the ?parameters of national principles,? he said.
Lungalang and five other ?cabinet kilonsers? and 25 ?deputy kilonsers? were yesterday sworn in at a function at Dimapur after installation of the new underground ?government of NSCN(I-M)?. The collective leadership last year declared ?a state of emergency? and dissolved the ?underground government? in the backdrop of violence and anti-ceasefire agitation in Manipur. It had handed over the responsibility of the organisation to a seven-member steering committee, the highest policy-making body of the outfit.
Besides the seven members, an additional 10 members were inducted into the steering committee and 20 ?tatars? (members) were appointed to the newly formed ?NSCN (I-M) parliament?, the leaders told visiting newsmen. Steering committee convenor and former armed wing chief, VS Atem, while exhorting the members to draw strength and courage from God, called upon them to work as a team with sincerity, dedication and a sense of responsibility. The NSCN (I-M) ceasefire expires on July 31 after completion of five years.
During this period several rounds of talk were held abroad to find an amicable settlement to the vexed Naga political problem. NSCN (K) also entered into a ceasefire with the Centre in April last year to resolve the Naga issue through dialogue.