NEW DELHI, Feb 3 ? In a significant move to quell tension in Manipur and Assam over the Naga issues, NSCN(I-M) has said it ?fully recognises the legitimate rights and aspirations? of all neighbouring people and offered to hold talks with them to resolve the differences, reports PTI. ?Let us end tensions that have sometimes existed between us and live as good neighbours, who respect each other?s rights and aspirations. We are convinced that there should be no differences between us that cannot be resolved through dialogue and understanding,? the major Naga insurgent group said in a statement, a day after their top leaders, Isak Chisi Swu and Thuingaleng Muivah, left the country after three days of peace talks with the Centre. The statement, with the heading ?Journey for Peace? said ?we fully recognise the legitimate rights and aspirations of all neighbouring people, including the Meiteis (in Manipur), the Assamese and others.?
Regarding their age-old demand for ?Greater Nagaland? or ?Nagaland?, it said the British did not administer ?most Naga areas? and ?only some Naga areas? were incorporated when India redrew the map and created States. ?We believed, more realistic boundaries should be drawn,? it said. On their peace negotiations with the Centre and talks with other political parties, the NSCN(I-M) said its delegation met leaders of many political parties. ?We praise the leaders in the Government for their willingness to understand the naga people and to find a peaceful solution. And we equally praise the former Prime Ministers and leading members of the Opposition for it was they and the Congress party that had the courage to initiate this peace process,? the statement said. It said the peace process should remain above party politics ?for greater things are at stake?. ?Sometimes we feel compelled, on the interest of the peace process, to speak out frankly against actions by specific individuals who use their position of authority to undermine the peace process and divide the Nagas. Such people act only for personal gains and aggrandisement.? The NSCN(I-M) said the time had come to deal with some difficult issues in the negotiations and ?we are prepared for that. It will not be easy. We are very conscious that we must act in the interest of all our people without sacrificing those things that are most precious to them.? It asked the Naga people to pray for success of the peace process ?to achieve a just and lasting peace?.