Collective leadership of the NSCN (I-M) yaruiwo (president) Isak Chishi Swu and ato kilonser (prime minister) Th. Muivah arrived Dimapur from New Delhi Tuesday for Christmas.
Later, at a brief press meet, NSCN (I-M) ato kilonser Th. Muivah maintained that it was “quite not possible” to settle the Naga political issue within a time frame. He was however optimistic that the government of India and NSCN (I-M) were “determined” to have the “problem solved.”
He was replying to a question about expectations of a solution to the decades-long Naga political issue before the Nagaland assembly election scheduled sometime in March next year.
Interacting with the media, Muivah asserted that there was “no doubt” that both the government of India and NSCN (I-M) were serious about bringing a solution to the political issue. He said “we will do the best we can and the Indians are doing the same thing but it is very hard to say more than that.”
Muivah said that since both the negotiating parties were serious, NSCN (I-M) expect that things would move in a “more positive” way. He however said that NSCN (I-M) could not “assure anything” but reiterated that the group was “doing the best” and would continue to do so.
When asked if the collective leadership was planning to make public the points of deliberations with the government of India, Muivah said, “We are not going to that extent this time.” Referring to the last meetings with NGOs, civil society groups and tribal representatives, the ato kilonser said that NSCN (I-M) would be “glad to meet NGOs or any group of Naga people” as he felt that it was “essential and indispensible to have concrete and objective understanding amongst us”.
He reminded that NSCN (I-M)’s earlier assurance that it would consult the people in case of any eventualities and stated that the organization was “not above the people” rather it was “subject to the people.” He stressed that the people would have a “final say” as it has always been the political philosophy of the NSCN (I-M). On possibility of holding meetings of consultations with other Naga political groups, Muivah said “if they are willing it is fine.”
The NSCN (I-M) collective leadership said they came back to greet the Nagas during Christmas. Muivah also added that the “this is the season of the birth of our Savior, we will be the happy if we can worship and praise together” during the festive season. Meanwhile, it was also learnt that yaruiwo Isak Chishi Swu would be leaving for his native village Chishilimi on December 22 to celebrate Christmas there.
Earlier, both the leaders were received by a host of NSCN (I-M) top brass and members.
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