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NSCN(K) talks offer puts Ulfa under



NSCN(K) talks offer puts Ulfa under pressure

By Manoj Anand
>From the Asian Age (New Delhi)
April 18, 2000

Guwahati, April 17: The unilateral ceasefire declared by the National
Socialist Council of Nagaland (Khaplang faction) may change the
militancy scenario in the Northeast.

The NSCN(K) ceasefire has upset coordination among the militant outfits
in the region that had resolved to fight under a joint banner, the
Indo-Burma Revolutionary Front. The front had also passed a resolution
recently that any decision on peace talks will be taken jointly by the
six members of the organisations.

Disclosing this here on Monday, highly-placed police sources told The
Asian Age that a top political leader from Assam played a crucial role
in persuading Naga leaders for the ceasefire.

Sources indicated that the NSCN(K)  initiative has sent an indication to
the banned United Liberation Front of Asom and the National Democratic
Front of Bodoland in Assam that they may have to do some rethinking on
their stand.

With another underground outfit showing its readiness to talk, the
Centre is watching its implications on the ongoing peace process in
Nagaland as the Issac-Muivah faction has expressed its reservations on
joining the peace process, sources said, adding that an exercise to find
out some way out of this embarrassing situation has already started.

The NSCN(K) has a strong base in neighboring Burma where it runs
training camps for different Northeast militant outfits. The move to
join peace talks may also be a setback for the militant outfits in Assam
as most of them rely on the Khaplang faction for arms, ammunition and
training.

The change in attitude of militant outfits in the region is being
attributed to the mounting pressure of the masses that in general are
fed up with the violence. This has not only affected development but has
also spoiled the future of a generation of youth in the Northeast.

Recently, the Bodo Liberation Tiger entered into dialogue with the
Centre for finding a peaceful solution to the Bodo problem.