UKHRUL: NSCN-IM leader Th Muivah on Saturday condoled the death of former Indian Interlocutor to the Indo-Naga peace talks Swaraj Kaushal who passed away on Thursday in New Delhi, aged 73.
The NSCN-IM leader recalled Kaushal as a renowned lawyer and politician held in high regard by both the Indians and the Nagas.
“He took an active part during the peace negotiations with the Mizo National Front (MNF), which led to the signing of the Mizoram Accord in 1986, and was an expert in affairs of North East India. He was the first official Indian Interlocutor to engage in peace talks with the NSCN in 1998 in Bangkok (Thailand) during the Premiership of Atal Bihari Vajpayee,” Muivah wrote in his condolence message.
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I still vividly remember what he said during one of our meetings in 1998, “Wherever they (the NSCN) are, we observe ceasefire, even abroad. Yes, very definitely. It covers Delhi and even Paris. After all, it is not that they will be killing each other in a particular area and discussing peace in another area. What is required is a conducive atmosphere for a discussion”, he added.
Extending his heartfelt condolence to the bereaved family and the people of India, Muivah termed Kaushal a great Indian statesman and a friend of the NSCN in particular and the Nagas in general
“Prior to his appointment as Interlocutor, I along with my NSCN teammates, had met Indian leaders including PV Narasimha Rao, Rajesh Pilot, HD Deve Gowda, Satish Chandra, and NN Vohra between 1995 and 1997. I last met Kaushal in October 2020 in New Delhi and had a candid conversation with him. He was a very rational man with a deep understanding of the Naga political issue,” Muivah added in his condolence message.
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