Warrants against Swu, Muivah withdrawn

KOHIMA, May 7 ? Nagaland Chief Minister SC Jamir on Monday said his government had already communicated to the Centre its decision to withdraw arrest warrants against NSCN(I-M) leaders Issar Chishi Swu and Thuingalang Muivah to enable them to visit the country, reports PTI. This would help the NSNC(I-M) to carry forward the political negotiations for an amicable settlement to the protracted Naga problem, the Chief Minister said. ?We have already written to the Union Home Ministry and I have already announced my government?s decision about it (withdrawal of cases)... It is now up to them (NSCN-IM) leaders whether they want to hold talks in the country or elsewhere,? Jamir told newsmen here. The warrants were issued against NSCN(I-M) senior leaders, including chairman Issac Chishi Swu and general secretary Thuingleng Muivah after an abortive attempt on the life of the Nagaland Chief Minister on November 29, 1999. The Chief Minister, however, insisted that the underground leaders should hold the talks on ?substantive issues? within the country so that the people were aware about political discussions on the Naga issue.

When asked about the visit of Mizoram Chief Minister Zoramthanga to Bangkok to meet the NSCN(I-M) top brass, Jamir pointed out that the Mizo problem was quite different from the overall 50-year-old Naga political issue. Jamir, however, welcomed Zoramthanga?s involvement in the Naga peace process as a facilitator, saying ?we need assistance of everyone to find a settlement to the vexed problem.? Asked whether his government was aware of the visit of a large Naga delegation to Bangkok to meet NSCN(I-M) leaders, the Chief Minister said although the apex tribal council Naga Hoho had not officially intimated it to the State Government, some Hoho members did so individually. His government fully supported such discussions with all undergroun groups, Jamir pointed out.

At the invitation of NSCN(I-M), over 30 delegations from various Naga organisation and individuals have reached the Thai capital to attend the second round of the ?consultative meeting? to consolidate the ongoing peace process. The Chief Minister, however, regretted that the NSCN(I-M) reportedly collected a huge amount from the business community to fund the Bangkok trip. ?We have received complaints of forcible collection at Dimapur. It was unfortunate because it is a terrible burden on the business community,? he said. Asked about the inclusion of other underground groups like NSCN(K) in the political talks process, Jamir asserted ?ultimately all parties concerned should come together to hammer out a durable solution because the issue is the same despite differences among themselves at present.?