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Govt to enter into truce with
two more Naga groups

In a major move to broadbase the peace process in Nagaland, the Centre has decided to enter into a ceasefire soon with Naga insurgent groups National Socialist Council of Nagaland (Khaplang) and Naga National Council (Federal), highly-placed Union Home Ministry sources said in Kohima on Sunday.

Union Home Minister L K Advani told reporters in Kohima that the government was 'actively considering' a proposal to declare ceasefire with the NSCN (K) and NNC (Federal) and a suggestion to extend the truce to areas outside Nagaland where the groups are operating.

The Centre had entered into a ceasefire with NSCN (Issac-Muivah faction) in August 1997.

"Ground rules for the truce have been prepared and a formal announcement about the ceasefire accord with the two outfits will be made in the current session of Parliament," the sources said.

A top Nagland government functionary said NSCN (K) General Secretary Kitovi held parleys with Maj Gen R N Kapoor, GOC-in-C Nagaland on the ground rules, which have been submitted to the Centre for approval.

NSCN (K), headed by S Khaplang, a Hemi Naga tribe based in Myanmar, comprises predomainantly tribal groups from the twin districts of Tuensang and Mon in Nagaland.

NSCN (IM) consists of the majority Semas and Tangkhuls while the NNC (Federal) has the legacy of A Z Phizo, the late Naga rebel leader from the Angami tribe.

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