Kohima, May 31: The NSCN (Isak-Muivah) today said the planned visit to India next month by its top leaders hinged on the Manmohan Singh government’s explanation of its stand on the contentious subject of integrating Naga-inhabited areas. Less than a week after the new government assumed office, the militant group said general secretary Th. Muivah and chairman Isak Chishi Swu would visit New Delhi for the second time in as many years to take the peace process forward.
However, a sentence in the Congress-led United Progressive Alliance’s common minimum programme — that the territorial integrity of states would be “maintained” — raised doubts about the proposed trip.
The NSCN (I-M)’s demand for a “Nagalim (land of the Nagas)” envisages integration of Naga-inhabited areas of Arunachal Pradesh, Manipur and Assam with Nagaland.
Senior NSCN (I-M) leader Phunthing Shimrang put the ball in the Centre’s court, saying it should explain its stand in unambiguous terms. “The proposed trip by our leaders depends on the government of India and how it responds to it (the peace process),” he said over phone.
The deadlock on the subject of integration has been the biggest hurdle in the way of the peace talks.
Unlike the Congress-led coalition, the National Democratic Alliance remained ambivalent on the touchy topic of territorial integrity throughout its term in office.
Its decision to extend the ceasefire with the NSCN (I-M) beyond the boundary of Nagaland triggered an uproar in neighbouring Manipur.
Several protesters were killed in police firing and government buildings were reduced to ashes during the agitation, which has come to be known as the June uprising.
During his visit to Nagaland last year, former Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee said a “political consensus” was required to break the deadlock.
The NSCN (I-M) has since been mobilising opinion in the state and outside in a bid to pressure Delhi into taking a decision on its main demand. Over 200 representatives of various non-government organisations of Nagaland visited Chandel district of Manipur recently and harped on integration of Naga-inhabited areas.
The mention of “territorial integrity” in the new ruling alliance’s common minimum programme has worried not only the NSCN (I-M), but also a section of the Naga political leadership.
Nagaland chief minister Neiphiu Rio and at least six of his colleagues are to leave for New Delhi tomorrow to meet the Prime Minister and senior ministers for discussions on the peace process.