Naga separatists extend ceasefire

By Subir Bhaumik
BBC News, Calcutta

The Naga rebels have been fighting since 1956

Separatists in the north-east Indian state of Nagaland have extended their ceasefire by six months.

The Nationalist Socialist Council of Nagaland (NSCN) says it has "reluctantly" extended the ceasefire as the talks were not progressing well.

The announcement came after four days of talks between the federal government and NSCN leadership in Bangkok.

The rebels, who have been fighting since 1956, decided to negotiate with the federal government in 1997.

'Core demands'

"We are not very happy with the way talks have gone so far but we want to give peace one last chance," NSCN spokesman Samson Jojo said.

"We hope the Indian government will use these six months to work for a permanent solution to the Naga problem, otherwise it is no use negotiating endlessly."

After three days of inconclusive talks, on the fourth day of informal talks with the Indian delegation led by the federal minister Oscar Fernandes, the NSCN leaders finally conceded to the Indian request and extended the ceasefire until 31 July.

The ceasefire between the two sides first took effect in June 1997.

The NSCN has pressed for acceptance of their "core demands" - that India should create an unified Naga homeland by merging Naga-inhabited areas of Manipur, Assam and Arunachal Pradesh states into the state of Nagaland.

Another main demand is that Delhi should finalise "a special federal relationship" with a future greater Naga state.

NSCN says they are not happy with the way talks are going

"We have climbed down from our demand of absolute sovereignty and said we want a special federal relationship with India but India is neither moving decisively to implement it nor taking steps to unify Naga areas in northeast India ," NSCN general secretary Thuingaleng Muivah said.

Mr Muivah also said the Indian army was supporting his rival faction in the NSCN - led by Burmese Naga leader SS Khaplang.

India was pressing the NSCN to renew the ceasefire agreement by one year after it ends on 31 January.

India says it finds it difficult to accept the demand for greater Naga state because it might spark fierce agitations in Manipur, Assam and Arunachal Pradesh state.