Nagas welcome extension of cease-fire

People in Nagaland have hailed the indefinite extension of a cease-fire between rebel Naga groups and the Central Government, describing it as a landmark development.

Kohima, Aug 17 : People in Nagaland have hailed the indefinite extension of a cease-fire between rebel Naga groups and the Central Government, describing it as a landmark development.

They, however, want the leaders of rebel groups to walk that extra mile to ensure a lasting solution to a five-decade old problem.

Rebel Naga groups have been demanding unification of contiguous Naga-inhabited areas in Assam, Arunachal Pradesh, and Manipur to form a Greater Nagalim.

The ceasefire was first declared in Nagaland in 1997. The truce has been extended every 12 months since then, except in 2005, when it was renewed for just six months at the insistence of the rebels and further extended by another six months in February 2006.

Musician Theja Meru has high expectations from this development. The youth sound more confident about their future.

Joshua Sheqi, a law student, said: "Naga civil society and some NGOs played a positive role in bringing about stability in the region. In the last ten years, business in the State has expanded. Youngsters are getting more opportunities in the private sector, and they are exploring new avenues. For the business community, the indefinite extension of ceasefire is a big relief, but they want permanent peace."

K.Lohe of the Kohima Chamber of Commerce and Industry said "The bustle on the streets of Kohima and Dimapur testify to the fact that things are looking positive for the State. Multinational and national companies are gradually showing avid interest in the State by opening their outlets in the State capital, Kohima, and in Dimapur."

People of Nagaland demand that peace must be realised to its full potential.

Despite the continuing cease-fire between the Government and the militant outfits, Nagaland continues to witness factional violence. Unabated clashes continue between the two warring factions of the National Socialist Council of Nagaland (NSCN) -- Isak-Muivah and Khaplang.

According to the Institute for Conflict Management, over 250 people, including civilians, security personnel and militants, have been killed in violence in the State between 2001 and 2005.

However, the cease-fire, beginning August 1997, has led to a significant reduction in insurgency-related fatalities in Nagaland, with 103 fatalities in 2001 and 40 in 2005.

ANI