Ball is now in Delhi’s court, says Muivah on Naga solution

Dimapur , October 18: NSCN (I-M) Collective Leadership today said that the much-anticipated solution to the protracted Naga political issue now lies in the court of the Government of India. “The ball is now in the court of the Indian government”, NSCN (I-M) General Secretary Th. Muivah told media persons at a hurried press briefing at Dimapur Airport. Both Muivah and the NSCN (I-M) Chairman arrived Dimapur after a series of talks with Government of India officials and central leaders to find a settlement to the Naga problem.

Photo: Chairman NSCN (IM) Isak Chishi Swu (Left) with his wife and General Secretary Th Muivah also accompanied by his wife step out of the Airport after their arrival in Dimapur on Thursday.

On Union Home minister Sushil Kumar Shinde’s reported comment that a solution would be hammered out before the March 2013 Assembly election in Nagaland, Muivah said, “about solution we cannot say, but it is sure that progress is there and of course Government of India is also more serious and we are hopeful that something honourable will be achieved.”

On issues discussed in recent talks with the Government of India, the NSCN (I-M) General Secretary said that GoI has finally come to recognize the unique history of the Nagas. “This commitment from the highest level that solution will be based on the unique history of the Nagas means a lot”, Muivah added.
According to sources, the two leaders are expected to meet a cross section of people including tribal hohos and civil society in the coming days and hold consultations with regard to development taking place in the Naga peace talks.

It may be mentioned that the a 20-member Joint Legislature Forum (JLF) comprising of both the ruling NPF and Opposition Congress led by Chief Minister Neiphiu Rio and Nagaland Assembly Speaker Kiyanilie Peseyie also called on various central and political leaders in the past couple of days and impressed upon the central leaders for expediting solution to the Naga political problem.