Imphal, January 18: MPs belonging to major political parties, including BJP and Congress, today had a meeting with leaders of Naga insurgent outfit NSCN (I-M) after which its general secretary Th Muivah said he was convinced that their voice was being heard.

The luncheon meeting was hosted by Swaraj Kaushal of Haryana Vikas Party (HVP) who had earlier acted as the Centre's interlocutor with the NSCN(I-M) before being replaced by K Padmanabhaiah.

When contacted, Kaushal said he told Muivah and NSCN(I-M) chairman Isak Chisi Swu that the Naga problem had become a "national issue" and the country as such was willing to listen to them.

As many as 27 MPs belonging to BJP, Congress, Shiv Sena, Samata Party, Shiromani Akali Dal, INLD, Samajwadi Party, JD(U) and Himachal Vikas Party, besides independents, attended the meet.

Several former MPs were also present.

According to Kaushal, Muivah told the gathering that though the NSCN (I-M) leaders had not been heard for the past 55 years, they were now convinced that they were being listened to.

Today's meeting follows one the Naga leaders had with former Prime Ministers VP Singh and IK Gujral and some other Opposition leaders.

Muivah and Swu have already met Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee, his deputy L K Advani, Defence Minister George Fernandes, Finance Minister Jaswant Singh and National Security Adviser Brajesh Mishra.