Kohima, July 26: The National Socialist Council of Nagaland (Khaplang) today said it was ready to give peace and unification a chance, but subject to a condition.

The rider that NSCN (K) leader Kughalu Mulatonu attached to the unification demand was that the process should take place ?without the Tangkhuls?.

Mulatonu?s statement is mainly directed at rival NSCN (Isak-Muivah) general secretary Thuingaleng Muivah, who belongs to the Tangkhul tribe that dominates Manipur?s Ukhrul district. ?If they go where they belong, then there will be peace,? Mulatonu said, ruling out reconciliation with the rival outfit.

The Khaplang group drew the tribal lines even as the NSCN (I-M) and New Delhi are preparing to hold another crucial round of talks in Bangkok on Friday and Saturday.

Mulatonu spoke to reporters after meeting a four-member delegation of the Eastern Naga People?s Organisation (Enpo), who wanted to know the outfit?s plans on holding talks with the Centre, in Mon.

The Enpo, formerly known as the Tuensang Mon People?s Organisation, feels that unless the rebel outfits stand together, it would be difficult to hammer out a solution for the Nagas. It was to find out the Khaplang group?s plans and strategy in this regard that the Enpo delegates met Mulatonu and other leaders of the outfit, the organisation?s general secretary Lemba Chang said.

?NSCN (K) has not started peace talks yet and since the NSCN (I-M) is holding talks, they (the Khaplang group) may not come forward,? Chang added.

The rebel outfits, however, do not appear to share Enpo?s view on unification. While both the groups have signed ceasefire agreements with the Centre, they continue to fight each other.

While Mulatonu drew tribal lines today, the NSCN (I-M) had stated its stance in 2004.

Speaking to The Telegraph at the NSCN (I-M) camp in Hebron near Dimapur, Muivah had said it was unfair to point a finger at the Tang-khuls. ?When the Semas were leading (the Naga movement) we did not say anything. When Aos were leading, we had not said anything. So why should people mind now? A peon with an MA degree works and takes orders, but for how long??

Both outfits have implied in their statements that the drawing of tribal lines is more about power struggles in Naga rebel politics than about rivalry at the grassroots.

While the rebels battle with guns and words, the animosity of Enpo with Hoho is no secret either. The Enpo is not a part of the Naga Hoho and differs with the latter on certain issues.

Chang alleged that the role played by the apex tribal group was not consensual and that there were ?so many accusations against the Hoho?.

Asked if the Enpo supported the demand for integration of Naga-inhabited areas, Chang answered in the affirmative, but added a rider. ?Yes, even the NSCN (K) wants unification because there are Nagas in eastern Nagaland and in Myanmar. But the rebel groups are reconciling only verbally and not practically,? he said.