Muivah wants Govt. to resolve the issue soon

Jotsoma (Nagaland), June 22 : The National Socialist Council of Nagaland-Isak-Muivah (NSCN-IM) General Secretary, Thuingaleng Muivah, on Monday said the Central government must recognize the unique history of Nagas and resolve the issue soon.

Muivah is presently in India to hold talks with the Central government on the Naga issue.

Muviah in an exclusive interview to Asian News International said he is optimist of finding solution to the prevailing problems.

"We have confidence to have an honourable solution because the Government of India recognizes uniqueness of Naga history and situation. On that basis something honourable could be worked out. If Government of India is going to deny the historical facts of the Nagas, we will not place ourselves at the mercy of the Indians. We cannot do that," said Muivah.

Muivah, is camping at Jotsoma, around five kilometers from the capital city Kohima.

He has reportedly been asked by the Central government to postpone his visit to his native village that falls in the adjoining Manipur state, till normalcy returns to the State.

Reacting to this, Tribal groups from Nagaland state had blocked supplies to Manipur.

The Naga leader expressed his displeasure at what he called the Central government using Manipur state against the Nagas.

"By using the Manipur state government, they wanted to insult us. The central government wants to insult us that we cannot accept it," said Muivah.

He, however, said the central government has the authority to resolve the issue.

"Everyone knows that central government is not subject to Manipur state. Manipur state is subject to the Central government so they can solve. They have the authority to do it but they don't want to do it, why, because probably they have the personality and that problem would have to be solved by them first," said the Naga leader.

Muivah said that he was ready for the next round of peace talks.

The Nagas have been demanding a free Nagalim state carved out of the northeastern region, including parts of Manipur.

Manipuris oppose this and see Muivah's attempts to visit his village as undermining their territorial integrity.