New Delhi, January 24: Top leaders of NSCN(I-M), who have just concluded talks with the Centre, would ask other northeastern insurgent groups to "be prepared to understand" the Centre�s point of view, if the Centre decides to hold parleys with them.

"If Government of India would be prepared to talk to them (insurgent outfits), we shall certainly tell them that they should also be prepared to understand the Government....

we will also ask our friends to be prepared to find a better solution," NSCN (I-M) general secretary Thuingaleng Muivah said when asked what message they would like to give to other insurgent groups operating in the North East.

"We are sure they (these groups) have got many things to learn from this experience of ours," Muivah, along with chairman Isak Chisi Swu, told PTI in an interview here after their three-day peace parleys with the Centre.

However, "a sincere initiative has to be taken by the Indian side.

Only then will there be the possibility of expecting a similar initiative from them.

Otherwise, they will not have much reason to be positive as they have been skeptical regarding the Indian stand so far," Muivah said.

The NSCN (I-M) general secretary said "we understand them (northeastern groups) very well, we work together and it (the peace process) would be a wave of inspiration to them if a sensible understanding could be arrived at.

They have their own problems and they have their rights also".

Asked whether in future the NSCN(I-M) would hold talks with political leaders in the northeast as well as they did at the national level, Swu said the time was not yet ripe for such a process, but added "this depends entirely on the leadership of India as to how they approach the problem".

"If the Indian leadership approaches the problem realistically, then things can progress.

If it approaches in a haphazard manner or without careful examination of the situation, it is natural that the others will feel discouraged", Swu said.

He said there were different kinds of problems in the northeastern region as "there are different people and history.

These different groups will talk for themselves and we will not interfere".

On the recent statements of Manipur Chief Minister O Ibobi Singh regarding the State�s territorial integrity, Swu and Muivah said they were "satisfied" with Centre�s clarification on assurances on territorial integrity of Manipur but insisted that the peace talks would continue to be held on issues including "unification of Naga areas".

"The matter has been clarified to our satisfaction, as we understand that no assurances were given to anyone in respect to the substance of the negotiations," they said.

The joint communiqu� signed by Muivah and Centre�s special emissary K Padmana-bhaiah after 3 days of parleys said "there has been no change in the Government�s stand on the scope of the negotiations".

Quoting it, Muivah said "the scope of these ongoing negotiations, which have always been unconditional, comprise all matters contained in the NSCN proposal of Sept 2001, including the unification of Naga areas".

Stating that they were "pleased" with the progress made in this round of talks in which "many substantive issues" were discussed, Swu said and added both sides agreed on the importance of continuing the negotiations until a lasting solution was reached".

Asked to elaborate on areas of differences that arose in the just-concluded parleys with the Centre, Swu said "the main point is that there is now a better understanding and that is most essential.

We claim that as an achievement".

To a question as to which Prime Minister they had found more responsive to the Naga issue as they had held talks with PV Narasimha Rao, HD Deve Gowda and Atal Bihari Vaj-payee, Swu said "all of them were equally serious and I think they have a good understanding among themselves too, as they approach the issue from the same perspective".

The NSCN(I-M) chairman said there was a lot of difference between their talks with Indira Gandhi in 1960 and now as "the present Govt is more prepared to solve the problem than before".

It would be a "very positive sign" to recognize the "unique history" of the Naga people.

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