By IANS
New Delhi : A 10-year-old ceasefire agreement between the government and the separatist National Socialist Council of Nagaland (NSCN-IM) rebel group is likely to be extended beyond July 31 amid suggestions that the group had toughened its stand on key demands.
A seven-member delegation of the NSCN-IM, which is involved in the country's longest-running insurgency spanning 60 years, began two-days talks here Saturday with government officials on their demands, including a separate constitution for Nagaland, a 'unique' relationship with New Delhi and unification of Naga-inhabited areas of Manipur, Arunachal Pradesh and Assam.
"The discussions began in a positive manner and the atmosphere was cordial. Yes, we will discuss prolonging the ceasefire due to expire on July 31," said an official involved in the discussions. New Delhi announced a ceasefire with the rebel group in August 1997.
Union minister Oscar Fernandes heads the three-member group on Naga talks that includes interlocutor, K. Padmanabhaiah, while the NSCN-IM delegation is headed by general secretary, Thuingaleng Muivah, the outfit's special emissary, V.S. Atem, and senior leader A.K. Lungalang.
But even before the talks began, a senior Naga rebel leader warned that something tangible had to result from the talks on some of the group's crucial demands as another ceasefire extension would only be futile.
"Apart from extension of ceasefire we want a firm commitment from the government of India on our demands during this round of talks," NSCN-IM spokesman Tongmeth Wangnao Konyak told reporters in Nagaland.
"The unification of Naga areas is a must. Without unification, there will be no solution."
At a meeting in Bangkok last year, before extending the ceasefire for a year, both sides agreed on a broad framework to define a relationship that could end the Naga insurgency. While one part of the framework reportedly specifies the underlying principles behind the agreement, the other deals with the procedure of defining the relationship.
This is the first meeting of Indian officials with the NSCN after Muivah arrived in India in December last year, Since then, the leaders have been in Nagaland for discussions with NSCN-IM cadres, civil society and political leaders on the group's key demands.
Over the last 10 years, the group has held over 50 rounds of talks with the government in European, Asian and South Asian venues to find a solution to the Naga issue.