With a vow to expedite the ongoing peace process, the Centre and the rebel Naga group NSCN (IM) have agreed on extending the 8-year-old ceasefire in Nagaland by another six months. In a joint statement, after the latest round of talks in Bangkok, says, “As both sides recognise that there has been insufficient progress in the talks, it was decided to carry forward the political negotiations expeditiously taking new initiatives”.

“It was also agreed to reactivate and make effective mechanisms to address all ceasefire issues including modification of ground rules, the statement said.

“In view of the need to maintain a congenial atmosphere for the political negotiations to fructify, it has been mutually decided to extend the ceasefire by six months with effect from February 1,” the statement added. On behalf of the Centre, the official delegation was headed by Union Minister of State Oscar Fernandes, and included Padmanabhaiah, besides a team of Home Ministry officials. The NSCN delegation was led by Muivah.

Expressing satisfaction over the extension of ceasefire, Nagaland Chief Minister Neiphiu Rio congratulated both negotiating parties “for showing their sagacity and high maturity in dealing with one of the most sensitive issues.” The Chief Minister further hoped that there would be no let ups in efforts towards an early solution to the protracted problem “so as to ultimately bring the issue to its logical conclusion without any further delay and loss of time, keeping in view the larger interest of the Nagas in particular and the country in general.”

Meanwhile, NSCN (K) has alleged that its rival faction NSCN (IM) is violating ceasefire during a recent meeting with the Centre. A three-member team of NSCN (K) in a meeting with senior home ministry officials demanded that NSCN (IM) must observe ceasefire ground rules. “We have asked the home ministry officials to ensure that the ceasefire ground rules are strictly adhered to by cadres of the IM group,” NSCN (K) leader C Singson told North East News Agency.

Singsong is angry over the fact that during the last one year IM cadres attacked NSCN (K) designated camps on many occasions. He opined that Ceasefire Monitoring Group (CFMG) had failed implement the ground rules properly. NSCN (K) demanded the removal of Lt. Gen. (Retd) Ramesh Kulkarni, chairperson of the CFMG.

Talking about the meeting with the Centre Singhsong revealed that they were assured that effective steps would be taken by security forces not to allow IM cadres to be near our designated camps. “Whosoever violates the ceasefire ground rules would be dealt with severely is what we were assured,” he claimed. Earlier taking a tough posture NSCN (IM) said that positive steps needed for truce extension. “New Delhi should show positive steps they have taken which we can show our people. Otherwise an extension of the ceasefire is not possible,” Samson Jajo, secretary of NSCN (IM) said.

“The Indian side told us that steps could not yet be taken as the government had been busy with State Assembly elections,” Jajo said, adding that they had promised    that positive steps would be taken by them. On being asked about what “positive steps” the Nagas were demanding, Jajo said these were in  a list of proposals already submitted to the Government. “On the first issue of integration, no decision  has been taken yet by the Indian government.”

“We have asked the home ministry officials to ensure that the ceasefire ground rules are strictly adhered to by cadres of the IM group.

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