Talks between the Centre and NSCN(IM) failed on Wednesday over the proposed visit of T Muivah to his native village in Manipur, with the rebel outfit maintaining that he will go ahead with his plan.
The talks lasting one-and-a-half-hour were held at Viswema village on the Nagaland-Manipur border between Union Home Secretary G.K. Pillai, Naga peace interlocutor R.S. Pande and Nagaland Chief Minister Neiphiu Rio on one hand and Muivah and other senior NSCN(IM) leaders on the other.
After the talks, Pande told reporters that the Centre would continue parleys with “all concerned” to break the impasse caused by the Manipur government’s objection to Muivah’s visit to Somdal village in Senapati district.
“We have requested Muivah to wait till the situation becomes “congenial” in Manipur to undertake the visit because of security reasons,” he said.
Senior NSCN(IM) functionary V S Atem on Wednesday made it clear that they will not wait for long and Muivah will go ahead with the visit if the Centre fails to break the stalemate soon.
“The whole situation is the creation of the Manipur government and Naga people are not responsible. It is up to the Centre to resolve the present situation. We will not wait for long. We will go ahead with our programme,” Atem said.
Pande said they had conveyed to the NSCN(IM) about the decisions taken by the Manipur government yesterday on lifting of curfew at Mao gate, replacement of state police forces with central paramilitary forces and ex-gratia to the members of the families of two persons killed in the Mao gate police firing, to instil confidence among the people.
“We will continue discussion with all concerned like the Nagaland government, the Manipur government and civil society leaders to make the situation congenial for breaking the stalemate,” Pande said.
