New Delhi, January 22: The two-day peace talks between the Centre and NSCN(I-M) concluded here today with the two sides discussing "substantive issues" to pave the way for political parleys.

"More ground was covered on substantive issues", informed sources told PTI on conclusion of the talks but declined to divulge details.

NSCN(I-M) chairman Isak Chisi Swu and general secretary Thuingaleng Muivah participated in the talks with Centre's emissary K Padmanabhaiah, Director Intelligence Bureau KP Singh and Secretary (Border Management) in the Union Home Ministry RCA Jain.

The talks were postponed by a day till Tuesday due to engagements of the Naga delegation.

The Naga leaders were understood to have expressed "satisfaction" over the parleys they had with the officials as they had done after the talks with Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee and other Indian leaders.

The two sides are understood to have been holding discussions on the definition and scope of Article 371(A) of the Constitution with NSCN(I-M) seeking delegation of greater administrative and financial powers to Nagaland.

The talks were held in the backdrop of an assurance by Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee to an all-party delegation led by Manipur Chief Minister Ibobi Singh to protect the territorial integrity of the State.

The delegation had demanded a Constitutional amendment to protect its territory.

"We welcome Centre's peace talks with Naga leaders but the parleys should not be at the cost of territorial integrity of Manipur.

The State will not give a single inch of land as part of Centre's (possible) agreement with Nagas," Singh had said.

In Article 371 of the Constitution, a clause must be added stating "territorial integrity of Manipur as it existed on October 15, 1949 is inviolable", the Chief Minister said.

Swu and Muivah, who had arrived here on January nine to take the peace process further, have already met Deputy Prime Minister LK Advani, Defence Minister George Fernandes, Finance Minister Jaswant Singh, External Affairs Minister Yashwant Sinha, National Security Advisor Brajesh Mishra, former Prime Ministers VP Singh and I K Gujral and Congress president Sonia Gandhi among others.

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