New Delhi, January 9: The much-awaited talks between Prime Minister Atal Behari Vajpayee and Naga insurgent leaders of NSCN (I-M) kicked off on an optimistic note. Freezing discussions on all contentious issues including NSCN (I-M)’s controversial demand for a Greater Nagaland, a positive picture emerged after the 40-minute meeting, described as ‘‘cordial and friendly’’ by Isak Chishi Swu, chairman of the organisation.
The focus, according to sources, was on building confidence between the two sides for a step-by-step solution to the decades-old insurgency in Nagaland — and on development and special economic packages for the state. The way for peaceful talks in the future has been paved, said Swu.
The PM assured the NSCN leaders that the Central government will do everything possible for a peaceful solution to the problem, and asked them to respond likewise. Swu said that the PM and the the Indian leadership seemed sincere.
Referring to the 1967 talks with then Prime Minister Indira Gandhi, general secretary Thuingaleng Muivah said that this time there was a ‘‘lot better understanding’’ on part of the Government. ‘‘At that time, the leadership was immature on both sides. So, we couldn’t solve the problem. But this time, the leadership is mature and wants to solve the problem realistically,’’ he said. This is the first time in 36 years that the NSCN (I-M) leaders had come to India to talk to the political leaders.
Both sides understood the realities facing the other in a much better way, and were keen to find a solution in the given circumstances. The Government, according to Muivah, seemed to understand the need for solving the problem as per the unique history of the Naga people and ‘‘that is a good starting point.’’
‘‘We discussed the Naga problem across the table. That was a big thing. It will be premature to say anything else now,’’ Muivah said. Centre’s principal negotiator on Naga talks K. Padmanabhaiah and Intelligence Bureau Director K.P. Singh were also present during the talks. The NSCN (I-M) leaders will meet Deputy Prime Minister L K Advani on Friday evening.
According to former governor Nagaland, Lt General S.K. Nayyar, it was too early to cheer yet. These talks with the PM and the deputy PM tomorrow, he said, were not anything more than being symbolic. The NSCN (I-M) did not represent the Naga society.
‘‘There are other insurgent groups and then there is the civil society. If the government and NSCN talked peace, it’s peace for whom? For the people of Nagaland. How long can they be ignored? Sooner or later they would have to be involved in the talks. There are the Naga Ho Hos and the Baptist Church. A lasting solution has to include everybody’s voice,’’ he told The Indian Express.
The process of reconciliation had started but for it to be completed, everybody had to be consulted. The various groups had to sit down for ‘‘substantive talks,’’ he said. The timing of the present talks was also very crucial. With elections in Nagaland next month and the ongoing peace talks, Lt Gen Nayyar said, it was difficult to dovetail the two.
‘‘The talks are bound to be politicised. They will be raised as an issue by various political parties and the entire process will be diluted,’’ he cautioned. According to him, more transparency was required in the talks with important issues publicly discussed. He also suggested that a person — possibly a politician — who understood both, the government and the Naga sentiments properly, should be involved in the talks. ‘‘Such important things cannot be left to bureaucrats and intelligence officials,’’ he added.