Kohima, Dec. 14: A Nagaland BJP leader has asked the Centre to extend amnesty to NSCN (Khaplang) militants holed up in Myanmar.

Former state BJP president N. Chuba Ao in a memorandum to governor P.B. Acharya, Union home minister Rajnath Singh and the interlocutor for talks with the NSCN (Isak-Muivah), R.N. Ravi, urged the Centre to extend amnesty to NSCN (K) leader Niki Sumi and his cadres so they can come back and resume the peace process.

The outfit abrogated truce with the Centre last year, which it had signed on April 28, 2001.

Ao said the framework agreement signed with the NSCN (I-M) on August 3 last year had brought hope to the people who had endured decades of violence and bloodshed. "I also believe it has bolstered the effort for a journey towards a peaceful and developed Northeast which is a cherished dream for both the government and the denizens of this beautiful region."

He said the breakdown of ceasefire and talks with the NSCN (K) has brought a pall of gloom.

Ao said the people were tired of violence and tension and they were now more focused on jobs and economic development. He said the people were aware of the shortcomings of consecutive central governments on dealing with the political problem. "The methods of voicing displeasure have been often misunderstood. So, I feel, the policy in dealing with the problems in Nagaland should not be according to face value or according to the general social concept," he said.

Ao said engaging the NSCN (K) in a negative way would create more hostility. "The movement for independence in Nagaland is an idea and we all know that we cannot defeat an idea with a gun," he said.

He said if other groups come to a settlement with the Centre leaving behind the NSCN (K), it could again germinate into another entity to provide solace to disgruntled individuals and the new generation would still grow up under the shadow of the gun.

"I strongly believe that it is time to extend the olive branch to all concerned. Take for example Niki Sumi, who is a tall leader and a citizen of Nagaland. It would be wise to study his circumstances and engage with him in the best possible way for a positive result," Ao said.

He said Acharya has agreed to discuss the issue with the Centre.

The outfit's chairman S.S. Khaplang and second-in-command Niki Sumi are on the most-wanted list of the Centre. There are still many living in the jungles of Myanmar under the fold of the NSCN (K) led by Sumi.