The Hindu : National : Talks on Naga ceasefire begin

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Sunday, Jul 30, 2006

National

National

Talks on Naga ceasefire begin

Bangkok: Central negotiators and the NSCN-IM began crucial talks here on Saturday on extending the nearly nine-year-old truce in Nagaland amid indications that the rebels had toughened their stand to get some "concessions" on their demands.

"Today we have started informal discussions. Formal discussions are yet to take place. Nothing has come out yet," chief government negotiator and Union Minister Oscar Fernandes told PTI here.

The NSCN-IM and security forces in Nagaland have been observing a truce since August 1997. The truce has been extended every 12 months since then except last year, when it was renewed for just six months at the insistence of the NSCN-IM and further extended by another six months in February. The current spell of the ceasefire will end on July 31.

Asked whether he was hopeful about a further extension of the truce, Mr. Fernandes said, "Talks are a continous process. They will go on."

In its "charter of demands," the NSCN-IM has sought unification of all Naga-inhabited areas of the northeast, separate representation at the UN, and greater rights over natural resources, finance, defence and policing.

"We hope the government will give some positive response to our key demands. The extension of the ceasefire will depend on the outcome of the meeting," said NSCN-IM spokesman Jhoney.

PTI

Printer friendly page
Send this article to Friends by E-Mail

National