No Solution To Naga Crisis In Sight

Just over a fortnight into the three-month ceasefire in Nagaland, doubts over the possibility of reaching a lasting solution have been expressed by the outlawed National Socialist Council of Nagaland (Isaac-Muivah) as well as the government side involved in the talks. On the ground, no incident of violence has been reported since the ceasefire began on August 1.

Chief of army staff Gen Shankar Roychowdhury yesterday said comprehensive and conclusive discussions could not be held as most insurgent organisations in the north-east were faction-ridden. One or two factions always remain left out and continue violence.

He said the army was willing to hold talks with all outfits but not at the cost of jeopardising law and order.

Official sources said with the ceasefire in operation, Prime Minister I K Gujral could use the end-September visit to attend the 52nd session of the United Nations to hold the next round of talks with NSCN leaders Isaac Swu and T Muivah. The first meeting at this level was held by former Prime Minister H D Deve Gowda at Geneva early this year.

However, spirits appear to have been dampened within the NSCN. In an interview to a daily in Geneva, both leaders have spoken of a crisis of confidence in the ongoing talks which they say could seriously jeopardise the ceasefire. Reposing faith in Gujral, they say they do not trust Union home minister Indrajit Gupta, who is alleghedly trying to divide the Nagas.

There is a strong apprehension in the Union home ministry that even in the remote situation of the NSCN (I-M) agreeing to an accord, there was nothing to prevent other Naga outfits from rejecting the accord and continuing violence. For the moment, virtually all the Naga groups have agreed to the ceasefire, but official-level talks are being held only with the NSCN (I-M).