As the central government prepares for talks on extension of the ceasefire with Nationalist Social Council of Nagalim (Isak-Muivah) this week, the Naga militant outfit has indicated it will seek to mount pressure for their key demand of unification of Naga-dominated areas during the parleys.
"I cannot say anything now. Everything will depend on what the government of India offers in the next round of talks," NSCN(IM) Ceasefire Monitoring Cell Convenor Pungthing Simrang told PTI when asked about the group's stand in the proposed talks.
Complete Coverage: The Ceasefire in Nagaland
The next round of talks between the government and Naga groups will take place between January 27 and January 31 when the six-month ceasefire ends.
"Let us see something comes out from the talks. We hope for the best," Simrang, the top leader of the Naga group in the state, said.
Oscar Fernandes, part of a three-member ministerial group involved in dialogue with Naga insurgents, last week had said that he was hopeful that the ceasefire would be extended as 'everyone wanted peace.
"The bone of contention is the demand for a Nagalim (Greater Nagaland)," Fernandes said, referring to the insurgents' demand to unify the all Naga-dominated areas in the Northeast.
Fernandes, however, said he believed that the insurgent groups too did not want violence. "It is the Nagas who will be affected by violence, which no one wants," he remarked.
Last month, Fernandes and K Padmanabhiah had visited Bangkok for talks with the NSCN(IM) leaders but returned without any assurance from the insurgents over ceasefire extension.