NSCN leaders to meet PM and Home
Indian government and the NSCN (I-M) leaders led by its general secretary, Th. Muivah are expected to hold peace talks Tuesday after a gap of nearly one year, amid indications that neither side was willing to give up entirely on its stated position. During his recent visit to Manipur and Nagaland, union home secretary G. K. Pillai had said that the issue of sovereignty and integration would be excluded from the Naga talks. NSCN (I-M) on the other hand maintained it had not given up the demand for sovereignty. “No, sovereignty cannot be withdrawn because sovereignty is with the people. It is the people who should decide their fate and that cannot withdrawn but the question is how to understand, how are we going to understand Government of India or it should understand us. This is the problem,” Muivah who reached New Delhi yesterday said. NSCN (I-M), steering committee, convener, V. S. Atem echoed him, “We are hopeful, very optimistic…but no compromise on our right to sovereignty. We have not given up and will never give up the demand for our independence.” The NSCN (I-M) leaders will meet the Prime Minister Dr. Manmohan Singh and Home Minister of India P Chidambaram at 11 Am and 01 PM respectively.