rediff.com: NSCN threatens resumption of insurgency: AFP

The National Socialist Council of Nagaland urged the central government on Monday to respond to peace overtures or face resumption of the 50-year-old insurgency in the region. It threatened to return to arms unless New Delhi formalised a ceasefire agreement and lifted a ban outlawing the organisation.

"The lifting of the ban on the NSCN apart, we want the proposed ceasefire agreement to be extended to all tribal Naga inhabited areas of the north-east, so that our people can move freely without being harassed by Indian soldiers," NSCN leader Kitovi Zhimomi said.

"Otherwise, we shall be forced to review our decision for a ceasefire," Zhimoni said in an interview at the group's mobile headquarters, known as Oking, in eastern Nagaland. The NSCN is fighting for an independent Nagaland.

The NSCN announced a unilateral ceasefire in April, but has yet to sign an agreement with the government formalising a temporary halt to the insurgency that has claimed an estimated 50,000 lives since independence in 1947.

"We want New Delhi to adopt a sincere approach in solving the Naga problem," Zhimoni said. "If the government fails to avail of the peace offer, people will not hesitate to take their own decisions and things might take a turn for the worse."

Zhimoni said the NSCN had launched a consultation process with the Naga people to seek a consensus on how peace talks should be handled. "The opinion poll will be conducted by the tribal councils and we shall abide by the verdict," Zhimomi said.

"In 1951, there was a plebiscite and more than 99 per cent of the Nagas opted for sovereignty. So the question of compromising on the issue of sovereignty does not arise," he added.

If the government adopts a 'sincere approach' to peace talks, Zhimoni said other separatist groups in the north-east might follow the NSCN lead in declaring a ceasefire. "So, it is very important for the government to hold talks with us and pave the way for other groups to see reason."

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