Kohima, March 7: A Sumi Hoho delegation that met S.S. Khaplang and his top leaders at the National Socialist Council of Nagaland (Khaplang)'s headquarters at Taga in Myanmar last month said there was some hope that the outfit would come forward to resume the ceasefire and join the talks with the Centre.

"The Sumi Hoho and NSCN (K) meeting concluded with some hope in the larger interest of the Nagas," a senior Hoho leader said.

Sources said the Hoho leaders have asked the NSCN (K) leaders to take the right decision in the larger interest of all sections of Naga people. "The Sumi Hoho urged the NSCN (K) chairman and top brass to make the right decision at the right time," a Hoho insider said.

A senior leader of the Hoho said right from the beginning, they had been trying to include all the outfits in the talks with the Centre.

The delegation left for Myanmar around February 15 and returned on February 24.

A delegation of the Hoho will leave for New Delhi soon to meet central leaders, as, according to sources, some steps will have to be taken by the Centre before the NSCN (K) resumes the ceasefire.

Sources said it was only a goodwill visit to Khaplang's headquarters.

The outfit had abrogated the ceasefire in March last year. Several Naga organisations, political parties and the state government have been asking the Myanmar-based outfit to join the talks. However, sources said there were differences of opinion between the rebel leaders and they were apprehensive of the commitment and sincerity of the Centre.

The state government had even deputed a delegation of the Naga apex body, the Naga Hoho and the Eastern Nagaland People's Organisation (ENPO) to meet the leaders of the NSCN (K) in January this year.

Last year, a delegation of the Naga Mothers' Association also met some top leaders of the outfit in Myanmar for the same purpose. Khaplang did not meet the delegation but deputed his top leaders.

The NSCN (K) has been accusing the Naga People's Front (NPF)-led Democratic Alliance of Nagaland (DAN) government of being pro-NSCN (Isak-Muivah), which is currently engaged in negotiations with the Centre. It had also accused the Naga Hoho of having a nexus with the NSCN (I-M).

The Centre's interlocutor, R.N. Ravi, said the Centre was ready to facilitate the outfit's return.

The NSCN (K) had signed a ceasefire with the Centre on April 28, 2001, but there was no political dialogue despite the outfit's willingness for the talks.