Thuingaleng Muivah, general secretary of the Nationalist Socialist Council of Nagalim, left India for Netherlands on July 4 saying that some positive developments are taking place in the solution to the Nagaland problem.

In a sensational disclosure, the North East Sun has exposed the designs of the former chief minister of Manipur Rishang Keishing who wrote a letter to Prime Minister Manmohan Singh [Images] asking for unionification of the Naga-dominated region of Manipur with Nagaland.

• I am happy with the response of the Indian government: Muivah

The letter was written on May 27 -- a week before the NSCN leader left New Delhi [Images] after a seven-month stay in the capital.

Besides Keishing, the others who signed the letter, include Shri Mani Charanamei, member of Lok Sabha and 11 members of the Manipur Legislative Assembly including Gaikhangam, Francies Ngajokpa, A Aza Shimray, B D Behring, D K Kortngthang, Wungnaoshang Keishing, Danny Shaiza, Henry Paotei, R K Thekho, Samuel Jendai and Z Mangaibou.

"At the outset, we the undersigned democratically elected leaders wish to express our deep appreciation to the government of India for acknowledging the 'unique history and the situation of the Nagas' and the progress of talks in the right direction," Rishang Keishing wrote in the letter addressed to Dr Singh.

While extending support to the government of India for its efforts, he noted, "In case of territorial integration of the Naga areas, we believe that it is our sincere question and the basic fundamental right of the Naga people to be under one political entity and live together. We therefore fully support the aspiration of the Naga people for intergration."

"The letter of Keishing is bound to create ripples in Manipur politics in next few weeks," said a senior scribe who keeps tabs on the developments in the northeast and particularly in Nagaland.