A four-hour-long meeting was recently held between the Naga Hohos and the NSCN (IM) collective leadership at the latter's central headquarters. The decision to hold the meeting was taken at the meeting of the Naga Hoho federal assembly held at Kohima recently. As per the decisions taken in the meeting, a 30-member delegation comprising the members of Naga Hohos, various tribal councils, NPMHR, NMA and NSF went to meet the NSCN (IM) leaders.

After the meeting, M. Vero, president of the Naga Hohos termed the outcome as not satisfactory. Mr. Vero, however, reiterated that the Naga Hohos and and other organisations would continue their mission of unification. In the said meeting, welcoming the people's delegates, NSCN (IM) chairman Isak Swu noted: “it is just the beginning and we will continue to have similar meetings on the issue of unification.”

On their part, the delegation informed the NSCN (IM) leadership about its stand on unification. They categorically informed the underground leaders that unity and reconciliation were pre-requisite for a lasting solution to the vexed Naga political problem.

The delegation pointed out that if any agreement was signed between the Government of India and one faction of the undergrounds, lasting peace was not possible and peace would not return to the State. Citing the example of Shillong Accord, they said that such an eventuality would create another post Shillong Accord situation, where except the signatories, all others rejected the accord, leading to continuation of strife and turmoil in Nagaland.

The NSCN (IM) leadership, on the other hand, maintained that unity with their rivals should be on the basis of principles and other groups should admit their past mistakes. The NSCN (IM) insisted that the Khaplang faction of the NSCN should accept the nine-point conditions of the organisation, including acceptance of NSCN (IM) leadership.

In a last ditch effort to salvage the unity move, the Naga Hohos and NGO representatives met NSCN (K) leaders. The NSCN (K) in turn rejected the NSCN (IM)'s stand and objected to the declaration of 45-day general amnesty. It also disputed the assertion of the NSCN (IM) that unity was not a must for solution to the Naga problem. The NSCN (K) leaders felt that there could be no talk of unity unless the NSCN (IM) withdrew above declaration and assertion.

Meanwhile, two rival factions continued to clash in Tuensang district despite of the NSCN (IM)'s offer of general amnesty for 45 days to other underground groups. In Kiphire area of the Tuensang district, there was exchange of fire between the factions followed by a clash in which five NSCN (K) cadres were shot dead and four more were taken away by the NSCN (IM). Besides, exchange of fire between the two warring NSCN factions also took place in Noklak in the same district, which forced the villagers and shopkeepers to flee the area. In Noklak, two NSCN (IM) cadres sustained serious injuries.