PM to meet NSCN (IM) leaders for talks on Nagaland
PM to meet NSCN (IM) leaders for talks on Nagaland
The talks will no longer include the demand for sovereignty and Naga integration.

New Delhi: Prime Minister Manmohan Singh will meet leaders of the National Socialist Council of Nagaland (I-M) in New Delhi today.

NSCN-IM general secretary Thuingaleng Muivah has been blaming the government for the delay in finding a solution to the six-decade-old Naga problem.

Though hopes for peace in Nagaland has again gained momentum, a decision is unlikely soon.

Sources have told CNN-IBN the Prime Minister will present a 29-point proposal to hammer out a solution to the Naga problem.

The proposals include financial sops and greater autonomy, but talks will no longer include the demand for sovereignty and Naga integration.

The Naga insurgency was India's first ethnic rebellion.

The dispute has claimed around 25,000 lives for more than 55 years since 1950s

The NSCN-IM wants a 'greater Nagaland' comprising Naga-inhabited areas of the neighbouring states of Manipur, Assam and Arunachal Pradesh, that would unite 1.2 million Nagas.

These states are vehemently opposed to the idea, and it is a major sticking point in negotiations between the Naga rebels and Delhi.

NSCN-IM also wants sovereignty for Nagaland

Talks between the two sides began in August 1997, when the rebels decided to explore the possibility of a settlement through dialogue and a ceasefire was announced.

NSCN-IM have accused the Indian government of using the ceasefire as cover to tighten its grip and of jeopardising a peace process. New Delhi has accused them of breaking ceasefire and indulging in covert arms-dealing

At least 50 rounds of peace talks in over a decade to end one of South Asia's longest-running insurgencies.

Another factional group, NSCN-K, headed by Burmese Naga separatist leader SS Khaplang, has voiced strong opposition to Delhi's decision to continue the talks only with NSCN-IM.

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