Union Minister of State for Home Affairs I D Swami said on Tuesday that only central agencies will be allowed to provide security to Isak Chishi Swu and Thuingaleng Muivah of the National Socialist Council of Nagalim during their stay in India.
The two will arrive in New Delhi on Wednesday to hold talks with Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee and his deputy Lal Kishenchand Advani.
The minister was commenting on a report, quoting NSCN security officer Edwin, that a group of fighters of the organisation had left for New Delhi to protect the leaders since they didn't trust the security being provided by others.
"I am not aware of what understanding the government's interlocutor K Padmanabhaiah has reached with the NSCN leaders. The government agencies will provide the security to Isak and Muivah," Swami said.
He, however, said there may be a tacit understanding to allow NSCN fighters to act as private security guards for the two leaders.
"When they go to meet the prime minister and his deputy they will go alone. We have no objection if some private security personnel accompany these leaders to other venues."
In the mid 80s, when the government held talks with Mizoram's National Front chief Laldenga to end insurgency in the state, the only person who was allowed to accompany him was Zoramthanga, who is now chief minister of the state.
Zoramthanga and Padmanabhaiah acted as mediators between the government and NSCN leaders.