NEW DELHI JAN. 11. Emerging from the meeting with the Defence Minister, George Fernandes, leaders of the National Socialist Council of Nagaland (Isak-Muivah) made a significant statement here today. There would be "no more fighting between Indians and Nagas," they said.
"I want to tell you that there will be no more fighting between Indians and Nagas. That is the understanding we have reached now,'' the NSCN (I-M) chairman, Isak Chisi Swu, said after an hour-long meeting with Mr. Fernandes.
"The people of Nagaland have been praying that the leadership of India and the NSCN (I-M) should successfully conclude their talks. Nagas have now a much better understanding with the people of India,'' said Mr. Swu. The NSCN (I-M) general secretary, Thuingaleng Muivah, described the talks with Mr. Fernandes as "very cordial'' and his response as "very warm.''
The Naga leaders later met Swaraj Kaushal, previous interlocutor in the decades-long peace process, but declined to comment on the substance of the meeting. Mr. Kaushal also did not go beyond describing the etiquette behind the hour-long interaction. "It was a brother's visit to a brother. Muivah is my brother. The meeting is nothing different,'' he said terming the talks as progressing in the "right direction.''
The optimistic pro-peace statements by the Naga leaders come at a time when temperatures are rising in certain parts of the northeast, particularly Manipur Valley and its surrounding hills dominated by non-Naga tribes and communities.
There is consternation over the Naga leaders indicating on Friday that the demand for greater Nagaland, which imply certain portions of Manipur, had not been dropped.