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Vajpayee`s efforts to end insurgency in Nagaland suffers setback

IRNA

Guwahati, Oct 28, IRNA -- Indian Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee`s
efforts at ending 56-years of insurgency in the northeastern state of 
Nagaland suffered a setback with a powerful separatist group Tuesday 
pledging its demand for an independent homeland. 
"Our demand for a sovereign state is irreversible," a rebel 
statement by the S.S. Khaplang faction of the National Socialist 
Council of Nagaland (NSCN-K) said. 
The NSCN (K) fighting for an independent homeland for the tribal 
Nagas, had entered into a ceasefire with the Indian government in 2001
although formal talks were yet to start. 
New Delhi is currently holding peace talks with the Isak-Muivah 
faction of the NSCN after the two sides entered into a ceasefire in 
1997. The last round of talks with the NSCN (IM) concluded in 
Amsterdam in September. 
The two rival NSCN groups are fighting a bitter turf war for 
territorial supremacy with both the groups equally influential in 
their respective areas of dominance in Nagaland. 
"It would be the greatest mistake on the part of the Indian 
government to hope for a permanent solution to the Naga problem by 
entering into a deal with only the NSCN (IM)," the NSCN (K) statement 
said. 
The NSCN (K) statement coincides with Vajpayee`s visit to Nagaland
to boost the peace process with the NSCN (IM). 
The prime minister arrived on a three-day visit to the state 
capital Kohima Monday. 
Vajpayee would be meeting several tribal groups and church leaders
Tuesday who are expected to apprise him about the need to hasten the 
peace process and seal an accord to pave the way for permanent 
solution to decades of bloodshed. 
"Holding talks with one faction and ignoring other equally 
important underground groups would never solve the problem," former 
Nagaland chief minister and senior opposition Congress party leader 
S.C. Jamir told IRNA by telephone from Kohima. 
Although a ceasefire is on with the NSCN (K), New Delhi was yet to
officially start peace talks. "At the moment we are unwilling to talk 
to the government as we don`t want to compromise on our demand for 
sovereignty or independence," an NSCN (K)spokesman said. 
IND/AH/210 
End