Muivah Heads to New Delhi For Talks

By Sujit Chakraborty

New Delhi, Jun 8 : The Nationalist Socialist Council of Nagaland(Isak Muivah) general secretary Thuingaleng Muivah has finally given up his mission to visit his birth place, Somdal in Ukhrul district and left Nagaland for New Delhi to participate in another round of peace talks with the centre's interlocutor R S Pandey.

The fresh round of talks are likely to be held later this week or early next week.

According to NSCN-IM sources in Nagaland, 'this time, talks are progressing well. Most of the issues are almost resolved. The ticklish item like the incorporation of Naga areas of neighbouring states is, however, yet to be resolved.

In his last meeting with Mr R S Pandey in Kohima, Mr Muivah had pointed out that 'although I understand Centre's limitations on this burning issue, a decision can not be imposed upon the Nagas.'

Pandey also admitted that this issue was discussed with Muivah, but no progress has been made on this particular issue. He also reiterated that Manipur state's boundary would not be redrawn.

While Muivah and his men are making all possible efforts to organize meetings and rallies to mobilize support for Muivah in Nagaland, and other Naga inhabited areas, the NSCN(K) faction led by S S Khaplang and general secretary Khitobi, ridiculed and criticized Muivah's rigid stand on visiting his birth place Somdal and not asking for the formation of a 'greater Nagalim.'

Meanwhile, the Union Home Secretary G K Pillai, talking to rediff.com, indicated that the 55-day long economic blocade might be withdrawn by next week.

Only two days earlier, Pillai stated in Shillong that 'the centre will come out with heavy hand and take stern action against those who are organizing economic blockade on the national highways in Manipur, if the concerned state governments of Nagaland and Manipur fail to work out a solution soon.'

It is reliably learnt that the Nagaland government and Naga elders including village Council leaders and various NGOs are trying to influence on the United Naga Council of Manipur to withdraw the blockade at the earliest.