Naga Hoho through its communication cell said that though the political negotiation/dialogue was under the process between the Centre and NSCN (I-M), it fully depended on the negotiators of both the entities whether the political settlement would be acceptable to the Naga people or not.
The hoho also asserted that the Nagas were “well versed” with the ceasefire coverage which was clearly indicated through various agreements between the government of India and NSCN (I-M).
Naga Hoho reminded that the then interlocutor Swaraj Kaushal had told the media during the talks held in Paris in 1998 that the cease-fire covered not only Assam, Nagaland and Manipur but “even Delhi up to Paris.”
The joint statement signed by former interlocutor K Padnamabhaiah and NSCN (I-M) general secretary Th. Muivah in Bangkok on June 14, 2001 “mutually agreed upon” that “the cease-fire agreement is between the Government of India and the NSCN as two entities without territorial limits.”
Naga Hoho also said that when NSCN (I-M) collective leadership met former Indian Prime Minister AB Vajpayee in Osaka, Japan, on December 8, 2002, the prime minister had assured the NSCN leaders that “where there is fighting there will be cease-fire.” It was the nature of ceasefire as per the agreement entered into on June 14, 2001, said Naga Hoho.
Naga Hoho appealed all the stakeholders/negotiators not to mislead the people on cease-fire coverage and the same spirit should be maintained even with other Naga political groups so long the cease-fire remains. Failing to uphold the mutual agreement by both the entities, political ramification would be irreparable, said Naga Hoho.