Kohima, Jan. 13: The map of a ?sovereign? Nagaland drawn up by the Adino Phizo faction of the Naga National Council (NNC) is identical to the one conceived by the NSCN (Isak-Muivah).

The vice-president of the NNC?s armed wing, the Federal Government of Nagaland (FGN), Viyalie Metha, said the outfit?s ?sovereign country? comprised all the Naga-inhabited areas of India, China and Myanmar.

Speaking to mediapersons today at the outfit?s peace camp, Kohima village, he admitted that the map was similar to the one drafted by the NSCN (I-M), but ruled out any reconciliation with the rival group. The NNC leader said the British arbitrarily separated the Nagas of Manipur from those in Nagaland.

Describing NSCN (IM) general secretary Thuingaleng Muivah as a ?good friend?, he alleged that ?in the national movement, Muivah had betrayed the nation for power?. Metha said: ?Power has to be vested in the FGN, which conducted the plebiscite in 1951.?

Sources said the rival groups were drifting apart because of the NNC?s insistence that Nagas were already sovereign and non-violence was the only path to a solution.

The NSCN (I-M) had categorically disapproved the Shillong Accord signed by the NNC in 1975. However, the NNC defended its action, saying ?it was due to the Shillong Accord that the bloodshed stopped and peace came in?.

Talks from Feb. 2

The dialogue between the NSCN (I-M) and the Centre will begin on February 2, says our New Delhi correspondent.

The outfit?s collective leadership had informed the Centre that they would like to reach Delhi on January 31 for the first round of talks.

The Prime Minister had reportedly designated Union minister of state for programme implementation Oscar Fernandez, minister of state in the Prime Minister?s office Prithviraj Chauhan, and minister of state for home S. Regupathy for the talks.

Though Delhi had decided on its team of political negotiators, none of the ministers have any experience of dealing with the Naga issue.