The Hindu : Front Page : Manmohan for honourable solution to Naga problem

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Wednesday, Dec 08, 2004

Front Page

Front Page

Manmohan for honourable solution to Naga problem

By Our Special Correspondent

TOWARD A SOLUTION: The Prime Minister, Manmohan Singh, receives the NSCN (I-M) general secretary, Thuingaleng Muivah, and its chairman, Isak Chishi Swu, at his residence in New Delhi on Tuesday. — PTI

NEW DELHI, DEC. 7. The Prime Minister, Manmohan Singh, favours a "mutually acceptable and honourable solution that can ensure that the Naga people live a life of peace with dignity and self-respect."

During his first meeting with Isak Chishi Swu, chairman, and Thuingaleng Muivah, general secretary of the National Socialist Council of Nagaland (NSCN-IM), here today, Dr. Singh said the Government would make a "sincere effort to find an honourable way out" to the over five-decade-old Naga problem.

A spokesman of the Prime Minister's Office said the Naga leaders thanked Dr. Singh for his warm hospitality: "It is a measure of your great wisdom and we respect that," they told him. Seeking an honourable solution, Mr. Swu and Mr. Muivah said that "a solution cannot be found in violence and blood."

The Naga leaders, accompanied by a five-member delegation, met Dr. Singh for 30 minutes during which several issues on the Naga peace process came up for discussion.

Working group

Informed sources said that Dr. Singh offered to set up a "working group" to talk at length at a later stage to the NSCN (I-M) delegation. The Naga leaders did not make any demand and both sides avoided touching upon controversial issues. "The effort was to understand each other as it was their first contact with the UPA Government at the highest level," sources said, adding that it was Mr. Muivah who came across as the more articulate of the two.

The Naga leaders appreciated Dr. Singh's genuine concern and sincerity and hoped that it would firmly put the peace process on track. They had a word of praise for the Centre's interlocutor, K. Padmanabhaiah, who has been meeting them regularly either in Thailand or the Netherlands.

Dr. Singh said he would meet them again after their return from Nagaland and know more about their perception of the problems.

The Naga leaders are scheduled to visit Nagaland next week and stay there till mid-January and then return to Delhi to continue their talks.

Mr. Swu and Mr. Muivah met the then Prime Minister, Atal Bihari Vajpayee, and his Deputy, L.K. Advani, last January. Ever since the ceasefire agreement was reached with the NSCN(I-M) in August 1997, it is their second contact at the highest political level in Delhi. They met Mr. Vajpayee and his predecessor, H.D. Deve Gowda, abroad on more than one occasion.

We will work for peace: Patil

The NSCN (I-M) leaders also had an hour-long meeting with the Union Home Minister, Shivraj Patil. Mr. Patil said that it was an opportunity to get acquainted with the NSCN (I-M) leadership. "We did not discuss anything substantive or controversial. We will work for peace and make all-out efforts to create a good atmosphere," he said.

Last month, the peace process seemed to have hit a roadblock as the leaders postponed their visit to India, charging Central agencies with "encouraging and arming their rivals such as the NSCN (Khaplang) and the Naga National Council (NNC). After clarifications and assurances by Mr. Padmanabhaiah — that the Government was sincere in continuing the peace process — they agreed to change their stand.

Mr. Patil said the Naga leaders would also meet Mr. Vajpayee and the Congress president, Sonia Gandhi. "I am happy that they are here at our invitation. Their visit will help build bonds of trust and understanding."

Later, the Naga leaders assured the Centre that "no stone should be left unturned" to achieve a peaceful solution.

`Cordial, optimistic'

A statement later described the parleys as "cordial and optimistic" and said the leaders would "strive for an honourable and mutually acceptable solution." Both sides "reaffirmed and reassured" each other of their commitment to finding a peaceful solution, the statement signed by V.S. Atem, emissary of the collective leadership of NSCN(I-M), said.

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

Front Page

News Update

Stories in this Section

Manmohan for honourable solution to Naga problem

Little headway in talks on bus service

Cricket team going to Dhaka today

Amendment to Patents Act this month

Court raps Bihar on law and order situation

Terrorism will be rooted out: Karzai

Employees rally for the right to strike

Court to take up Air Force plea

Probe ordered into hiring of vehicle for Zahira's sister

Prosecution for curbing Acharya's liberty

Urban body elections in J&K after two decades

India downs Germany