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Ceasefire extension will pave the way for holding peace talks

IRNA - Islamic Republic News Agency

NSCN Kohima, April 28,IRNA -- A prominent tribal separatist group in Nagaland and the central government are expected to extend a ceasefire to pave the way for holding peace talks to end nearly six-decades of insurgency in the region.

A team of senior rebel leaders belonging to the S.S. Khaplang faction of the National Socialist Council of Nagaland (NSCN-K) and Indian home ministry officials are meeting in New Delhi Thursday to work out details about the ceasefire extension.

The truce between the two sides that came into effect in 2001 expires Thursday.

"We hope to extend the ceasefire by another year," a NSCN-K spokesman told IRNA by telephone from New Delhi.

Although the NSCN-K has been operating a truce for the past four years, the group is yet to begin formal peace talks with New Delhi.

"Let the opportune time come and we shall begin talks with the Indian government," senior NSCN-K leader K. Mulatonu said.

Indian government peace negotiators are holding talks with another NSCN faction headed by guerrilla leaders Isak Chishi Swu and Thuingaleng Muivah in New Delhi.

The two NSCN factions are engaged in a bitter turf war in Nagaland for territorial supremacy. At least 200 militants were killed in fratricidal clashes between the two rival NSCN groups during the past five years.

"We want peace in the region and everybody should abide by the ceasefire ground rules agreed upon," NSCN-K general secretary Kitovi Zhimomi said.

The NSCN-IM group had entered into a ceasefire with New Delhi in 1997 with the two sides holding several rounds of talks abroad and in India.

"The talks are progressing well and we hope the government agrees to our core demands," K. Chawang, NSCN-IM leader said.

The NSCN-IM is demanding creation of a 'Greater Nagaland' by slicing off parts of neighboring states of Assam, Manipur and Arunachal Pradesh with Naga tribal populations.

The regional states are opposed to the NSCN's demand for integrating Naga inhabited areas.

The NSCN had split into two groups in 1988 although the outfit until its division was considered as one of the most powerful and organized rebel armies in the northeast.

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::IRNA No.048 28/04/2005 15:39 --End