SCORES of Nagas from Myanmar have taken refuge in Nagaland, after the NSCN (Khaplang) headquarters across the borders was smashed but this is no cause for concern, the peace process will not be jeopardized, Chief Minister Neiphiu Rio, said “The situation is not yet alarming and the State Government can handle it on its own ... We will seek the Centre’s help if needed,” he said. Last month, the Myanmarese Army smashed the headquarters of the NSCN (K) in the Sagaing division of that country, about five days walk from the Indian border, forcing the outfit’s chairman and scores of armed militants to flee. This is one of the biggest losses that the NSCN (K) has suffered in over a decade in Myanmar. The Centre, which is holding peace talks with the NSCN (IM), has not shown any willingness to enter into negotiations with the NSCN (K). However, there are indications that the Government might begin dialogue with the Khaplang faction in the coming six to eight months to bring an end to the five-decade old insurgency in Nagaland.  The ceasefire agreement between the Centre and the NSCN (K) was extended for a year with effect from April 28. The NSCN (K) has accused both the Centre and the NSCN (IM) of trying to hijack “the Naga national issue” by not taking other rebel groups into confidence. Chief Minister Rio is non committal on whether the Centre should also hold talks with the K.  “It is for the Centre to decide ... The State Government does not have any role in this. My Government is playing the role of a facilitator in the ongoing peace process and trying to unite the Nagas for the successful outcome of the effort”.

Rio is happy over the pace of peace talks between the Centre and the NSCN (IM). He is willing to      “be a part of the peace process if the two parties so desire.”

During the last round of talks in Bangkok between the Centre and the NSCN (IM), both decided to hold frequent meetings to expedite the peace process. The ceasefire between the two was extended by another year with effect from August 1. The five-month old Democratic Alliance of Nagaland (DAN) Government has formed a Consultative Committee for Peace (CCP) headed by the Chief Minister. It passed a resolution supporting the Naga unification issue and decided to continue to support and facilitate mass based civil societies to strengthen and expedite the ongoing peace process. The CCP also decided to be equally close to all the underground groups in Nagaland and formed a committee comprising members from all the DAN constituents, which will contact such groups. “Former Chief Minister SC Jamir maintained equal distance from all the underground organizations. He also never supported any civil society groups facilitating the peace process,” Rio alleged. The CCP held a meeting with the Naga Hoho, Naga Students Federation (NSF), Naga Mothers Association (NMA) and Naga Peoples Movement for Human Rights (NPHMR) on July 30 in an effort to expedite the peace process. It has appealed to the rebel groups to strictly adhere to the cease-fire ground rules and remain confined to their designated camps. The Chief Minister, who met Deputy Prime Minister L. K. Advani, said although the people in Nagaland are happy with the peace talks, they  feel the process should be hastened. He apprised Advani of the situation in Nagaland and some of the problems the State is facing. Rio, who also met Union Minister for Mines said “I have urged him to upgrade the circle office of the Mining Department in Dimapur into a regional office.”

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