Centre, NSCN (I-M) talks to resume on Feb 16

NSCN (I-M) leaders have so far held two rounds of parleys with a group of ministers set up by the Centre and met Prime Minister.

After a break of five days, talks between the Centre and major Naga insurgent group NSCN (I-M) will resume on February 16 to take the peace process in Nagaland forward and find a political solution to the vexed issue.

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NSCN (I-M) leaders have so far held two rounds of parleys with a group of ministers set up by the Centre and met Prime Minister Manmohan Singh and Home Minister Shivraj Patil.

NSCN (I-M) Chairman Isaac Chisi Swu and General Secretary Th Muivah returned from Nagaland last month after a nearly seven-week stay there.

Swu and Muivah cae to India for the second time in November-end last year. They had come in January 2003 after a gap of three decades to hold talks with the Vajpayee Government.

The Naga leaders have been demanding unification of Naga-dominated areas in Manipur, Arunachal Pradesh and Assam, a move opposed by these states.

This demand saw bloody clashes between Naga and Kuki tribes in 1990s and had triggered fresh round of unrest in Manipur three years back.