An NSCN (I-M) insider said the proposal was submitted to the Centre around four months back and the next round of talks would be held on April 29 and 30 in New Delhi with the representatives of the Centre led by former Nagaland chief secretary R.S. Pandey.
NSCN chairman Isak Chishi Swu and general secretary Th. Muivah left for New Delhi today, while another team will join them later.
“We have demanded greater autonomy without giving up on our demands for independence and sovereignty,” a senior NSCN functionary said. He refused to disclose the details of the fresh proposal of the NSCN (I-M) to the Centre on interim agreement but said the proposal contains demand for greater autonomy for the time being.
“We hope this time something would come out,” the NSCN (I-M) functionary expressed optimism. He said the leaders of the group thoroughly studied the pros and cons of the fresh proposals for the past two months so that an interim agreement could be signed at the earliest. The outfit has been consulting national and international constitutional experts for the past couple of years to reach a solution with the Centre.
The state government had also suggested an interim solution. But the Centre had earlier ruled out such a solution and wanted to resolve it once and for all. Prime Minister Manmohan Singh had assured the NSCN (I-M) of a solution to the political imbroglio by 2012. There has been pressure from the political parties and the apex Naga organisations for an early amicable solution. But at the same time they had questioned the sincerity and commitment of the Centre. Some have even issued statements for dragging the issue for too long.
The NSCN (I-M) has been demanding a federal relationship with the Centre but insisted that first, there has to be integration of contiguous Naga areas under one administrative umbrella. But the Centre had ruled out integration and sovereignty. The neighbouring states have also opposed re-drawing of their boundaries.
The NSCN (I-M) sources had said the group had submitted a proposal for an interim agreement at least 10 years ago. The Centre had insisted on decommissioning of the “Naga army” which was rejected by the outfit.
The NSCN (I-M) has a regular combat army comprising over 15,000 well-trained soldiers. During the interim period, the Centre was asked to finance for all-round development of Nagalim. The NSCN (I-M) source said decommissioning of their cadres would amount to surrender to the Centre, which would never be accepted.
Union home minister Sushil Kumar Shinde said they were trying for a “workable solution” to the Naga political problem.