NSCN-IM cadres at an undisclosed location in Myanmar. Telegraph picture

New Delhi, Sept. 27: The National Socialist Council of Nagalim (Isak-Muivah) has raised the pitch ahead of the talks with the Narendra Modi-led NDA government, apparently under mounting pressure from a section of the rebel group.

As the Centre and the NSCN (I-M) prepare for a crucial round of talks, the outfit is busy preparing for an eventuality of abrogation of ceasefire. Recently, the interlocutor for the peace process, R.N. Ravi. informally met NSCN chairman Isak Chishi Swu and general secretary Thuingaleng Muivah.

The outfit has despatched one of its 60 steering committee members to Myanmar to explore other options fearing that the talks may break down.

The NSCN may have been in a ceasefire agreement with the Centre since August 1, 1997, but it has continued to maintain its armed cadres and even reinforce them.

“The collective leadership (as Isak and Muivah are addressed) still have confidence in Indian leaders. Fooling them for 17 years is enough, but the youngsters have second thoughts,” an NSCN leader told The Telegraph. “We cannot carry on endlessly with this indecisive talk.”

In Manipur, the Kanglei Yawol Kanna Lup (KYKL) has denied the report that an NSCN leader has been sent to its camp in Myanmar.

The KYKL has said it does not have a camp in Myanmar.

The NSCN, however, has iterated that it is preparing for the worst and confirmed the outfit has its presence deep inside Myanmar.

Sections of the NSCN are unhappy with the appointment of Ravi as the interlocutor for Naga talks. The NSCN’s choice was Ravi’s predecessor, Ajit Lal.

“Talks will be held soon but dates are not decided nor is their meeting with the Prime Minister scheduled as of now,” said a government source. Suddenly, after a glimmer of hope last year, there is trepidation about the future of the ceasefire agreement signed on August 1, 1997.

The NNC and its supporters in Nagaland could be expected to pressure Muivah on any settlement “less than sovereignty”.

Manipur chief minister Okram Ibobi Singh recently called on Union home minister Rajnath Singh on the Naga issue. Former Nagaland chief minister and Lok Sabha MP Neiphiu Rio is pushing for a speedy settlement to the imbroglio.

Senior leaders of Rio’s party, the Naga People’s Front, whose leaders refer to the NSCN members as “national workers”, met minister of state for home, Kiren Rijiju, recently and pushed for expediting the peace talks.