Surrender arms first, official tells DHD faction

Guwahati: Union Home Secretary G.K. Pillai on Thursday said the militant outfit Dima Halam Daogah (Jewel) has to prove its sincerity on its offer to hold talks with the government by first giving up arms, shunning violence and moving into designated camps.

Mr. Pillai, who arrived here on a two-day visit to the State, could not visit the troubled North Cachar Hills district as his chopper was unable to land due to inclement weather. He told reporters that he would return in September to visit the district. He later called on Assam Chief Minister Tarun Gogoi and discussed the situation. The official is scheduled to meet apex bodies of the Dimasa and Zeme Naga communities of the district here on Friday.

Talks with NSCN(I-M) Talking to journalists at Raj Bhavan, Mr. Pillai said peace talks with the National Socialist Council of Nagalim (Isak-Muivah) would resume soon. The government had made its suggestions to the outfit for resolving the issue within the framework of the Constitution.