[Assam] for the assamnet family

[anitak goswami]

NSCN cease-fire
  (Editorial in The assam Tribune on August 4, 2007) 
  The ten-year long cease-fire agreement between the Government of India and NSCN (I-M) has been extended for an indefinite period with effect from August 1, which is no doubt, a positive sign. It has also proved that talks with the group are progressing satisfactorily. Normally the terms of such cease-fire agreements with militant groups are extended by either six months or one year, at the end of which, the implementation of the ground rules of the agreements are reviewed before going for further extension and for the first time, the agreement with the NSCN has been extended for an indefinite period. Another positive sign is that the decision to extend the term of the agreement was signed following a meeting in Nagaland, which gave a chance to the top leaders of the militant outfit and the Government representatives to feel the pulse of the common people of the State. However, only extension of the term of the cease-fire agreement will not help in solving the Naga
 political problem and both the Government of India and the NSCN leadership should try to expedite the process of talks. Not only Nagaland, but all the States of the region are keenly watching the progress of the peace talks with the NSCN (I-M) as success of the talks will definitely encourage other militant groups active in the region to come forward for solving their problems through political dialogue. But several key questions regarding the progress of the talks between the Government and the NSCN still remain unanswered. The Government of Assam has been claiming that the members of the NSCN were extending helping hand to different militant outfits active in the State including the DHD(J), commonly known as the Black Widow group, which is very active in the North Cachar Hills district. The Assam Government is also of the view that the members of the outfit might also be involved in the recent trouble along the Assam-Nagaland border. However, the Government of India has
 not made it clear whether such issues were raised during the last round of meeting where the decision to extend the cease-fire for an indefinite period was taken. It is also reported that the NSCN has given up the demand for sovereignty and is ready to accept solutions within India. But so far, the leaders of the NSCN have not made their stand public on the issue. The Government and the NSCN have also not made it clear whether the outfit has given up the demand for creation of greater Nagalim with inclusion of areas of Assam, Manipur and Arunachal Pradesh, which remained a cause for serious concern among the people of these states, particularly among the people living in the areas bordering Nagaland.


       
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