Nagas welcome lifting of NSCN (-IM) ban, Manipur skeptical

GUWAHATI: With the Centre deciding to lift the ban on NSCN (I-M) and pave way for the peaceful settlement of the long-standing Naga problem in the northeast, there were mixed reactions, with some opposing it while others welcoming the move.
Nagaland Chief Minister S C Jamir welcomed the decision, saying it might help in bringing peace to the Naga people, provided that both the factions were serious.Jamir said the NSCN (I-M) and NSCN (Khaplang) must agree to abide by the ground rules of the ceasefire and immediately put an end to the ongoing ethnic clashes between the two factions.
Asked to comment on the reservations expressed by the Manipur government and many organisations on the lifting of the ban, the chief minister said, "They have their own problems, but we in Nagaland look from the national point of view."
Asked what the Congress stand was -- Assam, Nagaland, Manipur and Arunachal Pradesh have Congress governments and they are the most effected states due to Naga insurgency -- Jamir said there was no directive from the party on the issue.
Jamir said that to find a lasting and viable peaceful solution to the Naga issue, all the parties must be involved, which includes the Naga Hoho, the church leaders, village council and the state government which is the elected representative of the Naga people.
Rishang Keishing, Rajya Sabha member, longest serving chief minister of Manipur and a Tangkhul Naga himself, said the government of India is not involving the concerned people and till now they don''t know what has conspired between the NSCN and the Centre. "They must keep the state governments informed about the developments, the state governments of Manipur and Nagaland must be involved for transparency."
Col. Phungthing Shimray of the NSCN (I-M) Ceasefire Monitoring Cell said over telephone that this was the first in a series of step that should be taken. He said there were other laws which needed to be removed -- such as the Armed Forces Special Powers Act and Disturbed Areas Act -- for return of normalcy in Naga areas.