'The NSCN (IM) leaders want peace in Nagaland without NSCN (K) or NNC.'

This may sound strange, but the general secretary of the organisation T. Muivah has made it clear recently in an interview with a national daily. In that interview, Mr. Muivah had termed these organisations as reactionaries and traitors.

Beyond doubt, this strong posture assumed by the NSCN (IM) will make it difficult for the peace to stage a comeback in this sprawling land. The Naga people have already started expressing their apprehension about the success of the ongoing peace process. On the other hand, they fear that another post-Shillong Accord like situation will emerge in Nagaland, if the Isak-Muivah faction enters into any agreement with the Centre without taking other factions all along.

In the said interview on being asked to comment about the division among various Naga underground groups, the NSCN (IM) leader replied: "These leaders are spent force and do not count now. They are reactionaries and traitors and stand condemned before the people". He also claimed that all the Nagas are behind the NSCN (IM).

But the ground reality is something quite different. Neither the NSCN (K) nor the NNC are spent forces. Though these organisations are not big as the NSCN (IM), still they have considerable hold over the Naga people. The Naga people have not rejected these organisations as traitors.

As a matter of fact, the NSCN (IM) is fond of levelling the tag of traitors to anyone opposed to the organisation. The IM faction earlier termed the NNC as traitors as according to its leaders, the organisations sold out the Naga interest by entering into the Shillong Accord with the Indian Government.

But the same yardstick do not apply in case of the NSCN (K). This underground organisation came into existence after the Shillong Accord was signed and that too as result of the infighting with the NSCN (IM) ranks.

Mr. Muivah's claim that all Naga people are behind them, is also not correct. If the Naga people are supporting the organisation, then why is there the demand for unification? Mr. Muivah has not gone into the details to explain this factor.

In the interview, the NSCN (IM) leader has once again reiterated the demand of sovereign Nagaland. In answer to a specific question, he said: "Sovereignty is non-negotiable. We are talking to the Government of India at the highest level and on all issues involved."

On being asked that Government of India and its negotiators have clearly stated that Nagaland would remain a part of India and there was no question of a sovereign Naga country separate from India and all talks have to be within the framework of the Indian Constitution, the Naga leader replied: "The talks are going on and there are no pre-conditions except that these would be held outside India and at the highest level. We have met four Prime Ministers in five years and now, due to the uncertain political situation in Delhi and quick change of guard, there is some delay. But we are positive about the talks."

On being asked about granting some kind of amnesty to the cadres of other factions, Mr. Muivah said that they wanted these people to realise that unity was a must and the IM faction was prepared to accommodate these people. The general amnesty was for those who were in different camps and now wished to unite, Mr. Muivah explained.

Interestingly, in the concluding part of the said interview, Mr. Muivah said, "we believe in people. We believe in democracy. We do not want to impose any decision. Let the people decide their future".

From these utterances, it is clear that Mr. Muivah never practises which he preaches. Otherwise how can one explain their big brotherly attitude regarding unification. The demand for unification among various Naga groups was not raised by the outsiders, but by the Naga people itself. But the NSCN (IM) is insisting that all other groups have to merge with them and to accept their leadership. What the NSCN (IM) leadership is not realising is that the Naga people are not interested in the debate on who are the real freedom fighters and who are not. What the Naga people want now is only peace.