NSCN (IM) Submits 30 Demands at First Round

New Delhi, Mar 3 : In a fresh bid to solve the vexed Naga issue, the northeast insurgent group NSCN (IM) on Tuesday held the first round of talks with the government's newly appointed interlocutor, R S Pandey, during which it submitted a list of 30 demands that include sovereignty for Nagaland and unification of all Naga-dominated areas of neighboring states.

Sources said the meeting, held at an undisclosed location, on first day witnessed more of an informal discussion over various issues than the actual position of both the sides on the ground. Though the delegation submitted its demands, a serious round of discussion would take place on Wednesday, they added.

It is learnt that Pandey conveyed to the Naga leaders that there was no possibility of sovereignty for Nagaland and the talks could be held around "grant of more autonomy".

Among other issues in the charter of demands, NSCN (IM) pointed out certain taxation matters and preservation of cultural heritage.

Before the first round of discussions with Pandey, the Naga delegation paid courtesy calls on Prime Minister Manmohan Singh and Union home minister P Chidambaram.

"We had a comprehensive discussion and the NSCN (IM) will continue the negotiation with the government of India," Muivah told reporters after the meeting with Chidambaram.

"If the Centre is serious then we will talk," he said. Besides Chidambaram, others present at the hour-long meeting were home secretary G K Pillai and special secretary (internal security) U K Bansal.

Muivah had last visited India in December 2006 and held talks with government leaders. A ceasefire was agreed upon with NSCN (IM) in August 1997.