NEW DELHI, Dec 7 ? Reaffirming their commitment to leave no stone unturned to achieve a peaceful solution to the Naga conflict, NSCN (I-M) leaders today formally began their tour with a meeting with Prime Minister, Dr Manmohan Singh and Union Home Minister, Shivraj Patil.
Clearly conscious of not repeating the past mistakes, the NSCN(I-M) and the Centre made all the right noises steering clear of the contentious issues like integration of the Naga dominated areas. A list of proposals for talks has been already submitted by the NSCN (I-M) to the chief interlocutor K Padmanabhaiah on their demands.
On their part, the two top Naga leaders were strictly keeping off press, avoiding even routine sound bytes. A hurriedly called press briefing was organised at the Press Club of India, this evening by the NSCN (I-M) turned out to be damp squib, when emissary VS Atem beat a hasty retreat after reading out a carefully prepared press brief.
During the last visit in January 2003, reactions and statements by the NSCN (I-M) leaders and the Centre led to tensions in Manipur putting the dialogue process in jeopardy. This time the two sides are likely to begin formal rounds of dialogue only after they return from Nagaland early next year after completing the consultation process with the Naga civil society. Though majority of the demands raised by the NSCN (I-M) were discussed with the Centre during the past few years, the differences still persist over the demand for unification of the Naga inhabited areas spread across Manipur, Assam and Arunachal Pradesh.
Having made a commitment not to disturb the territorial integrity of the North Eastern States in the Common Minimum Programme (CMP), the Centre is in a bind and cannot afford to change its stand. It is in the backdrop of this, that the meeting between chairman Isak Chisi Swu and general secretary, Th Muivah assumed significance.
Accompanied by a three-member delegation, Swu and Muivah had their first meeting with the Prime Minister this morning at his Seven Race Course House. Also present at the meeting was National Security Adviser, JN Dixit and interlocutor, Padmanabhaiah, as were senior intelligence officials.
Later, briefing newsmen, a spokesman of the PMO said that the NSCN(I-M) leaders thanked the Prime Minister for his warm hospitality and said that, ?it is a measure of your great wisdom and we respect that.? Seeking a honourable solution to the Naga problem they stated that ?a solution cannot be found in violence and blood?, he said.
The Prime Minister appreciated this remark and said that he is in favour of a ?Mutually acceptable and honourable solution that can ensure that the Naga people live a life of peace with dignity and self respect.? The Prime Minister also said ?our Government will make a sincere effort to find an honourable way out.?
The meeting with the Union Home Minister lasted for over 45 minutes though substantive issues did not figure, the two sides used the occasion to size each other up. The meeting with Sri Patil started with a prayer for peace read out by one of members of the delegation and joined in by the Union Home Minister and Ministers of State for Home, Sriprakash Jaiswal and S Regupathy, Padmanabhaiah, the Prime Minister?s Special Advisor, MK Narayanan and the Home Secretary, Dhirendra Singh.
Sources said that the Naga leaders said that the whole world was seeking peace and so they also want a peaceful solution of the Naga issue. ?We have confidence in wisdom of the Government of India,? they were quoted as having said. The NSCN (I-M) delegation, however, reiterated that any solution has to be on the basis of the uniqueness of history of Naga people. They also added that they were rational and realised the difficulties of Government of India.
The NSCN (I-M), meanwhile, said that the collective leadership and Government of India have reaffirmed and reassured each other of their commitments: that ?no stone should be left unturned to achieve a peaceful solution to the Indo-Naga conflict.? The outfit also denied that any discussion on substantive issues had taken place.
?Discussion on substantive issues has not started hence news report defining the parameters of dialogue is mere speculation.? Tomorrow the Naga leaders are slated to meet UPA chairperson, Sonia Gandhi and Nagaland Chief Minister, N Rio.