Sunday, February 26 2006 12:31 Hrs (IST) - World Time -

New Delhi: Despite having violated the Gandhian ideal of non-violence for over five decades through terror and bloodshed, Naga insurgents fighting for a 'Greater Nagalim' believe that Mahatma Gandhi had best understood them when their leader Phizo met him in 1947.

NSCN(IM), the dominant Naga outfit holding peace talks with the Centre since 1997, refers to Gandhi in every round of the ongoing crucial parleys as they think in him they had the best audience among Indian leaders, who understood their grievances and expressed genuine sympathy to find a solution to the vexed issue.

"In every talk I have with them, there is not a moment without them not referring to Mahatma Gandhi," Union Minister Oscar Fernandes, who has been holding peace talks with NSCN(IM) for over a year, told sources here.

"Naga people are very appreciative of Mahatma Gandhi and the way Mahatma Gandhi dealt with them," he said adding that the NSCN (IM) leadership has high regard for the father of the nation.

Naga National Council leader A Z Phizo had led a delegation to Delhi in 1947 to meet with Mahatma Gandhi and requested him to support the Naga claim for independence.

Phizo's account says Gandhi showed genuine sympathy to their problem and opposed use of force in securing the loyalty of Nagas to India.

Over the years, Naga insurgent leaders had also held peace talks with leaders including Jawaharlal Nehru and Indira Gandhi.

Recently Keviletuo Kiewhuo, Vice President of Naga Ho Ho, the influential apex body of all Naga tribes, said "Had Gandhi lived two or three years more, things would have been different."

The Ho leader, who has been a key figure in the backroom initiative for the peace process, had also criticized the Naga leadership for insisting on 'sovereignty' in sixties.

The NSCN(IM) has been demanding formation of a 'Greater Nagaland'which would comprise all Naga-inhabited areas, including parts of Manipur, Arunachal Pradesh and Assam.

The outfit had on January 31 agreed to extending the eight-year ceasefire in Nagaland by another six months after four days of hectic negotiations with the Centre in Bangkok.

The Indian delegation was led by Union Minister Oscar Fernandes and included interlocutor for Naga talks K Padmanabhaiah. The Naga group was represented by its leaders Isak Chisi Swu and Thuingaleng Muivah.