The Centre on Monday said no restriction was imposed on the movement of Naga leaders Isak Chishi Swu and general secretary Th Muviah, after they were absent from a Kolkata meeting of the ‘Forum for Naga Reconciliation’ (FNR).
“There is no question of denial of permission, as we have not received any request for travel from the two leaders or state government,” said a senior Ministry of Home Affairs official on Monday. The Forum claimed that National Socialist Council of Nagaland (Isa-Muivah) founders Isak Chishi Swu and Muivah were denied permission to travel by New Delhi.
A five-day meeting was organized in Kolkata from April 29 to May 3 by the FNR, which aims to bring together various Naga groups together.
On March 28 in Dimapur, several groups had signed the Lenten agreement to form a single platform called the Naga National Government.
Following this, the leadership of the three Naga groups, NSCN (IM), NSCN (Khole/Kitovi) and NNC/FGN decided to hold a closed door meeting in Kolkata. “The representatives, through a process of envisioning, shared their vision for the Naga people, and expressed desire to engage in more confidence building measures as a way to deal with difficult issues in the interest of the shared Naga future,” said an FNR statement.
The FNR statement also maintained the “denial” of permission to NSCN(IM) leaders. “While appreciating the Government of India for its cooperation to Naga reconciliation, the FNR is concerned by this recent attitude, thereby raising questions of doubt and insincerity,” it added.
The Forum urged Nagas, their neighbours, and the Government of India, to have more understanding and extend moral support to the process, and said the realisation of Naga reconciliation is in the interest of all those who desire justice, peace, and reconciliation in the region.