Kohima, Nov. 5: The National Socialist Council of Nagaland (NSCN), led by S.S. Khaplang, will not be part of the ongoing peace process between the Myanmar government and the ethnic rebel groups.

Altogether 17 ethnic rebel groups are holding talks with the representatives of Myanmar government in the two-day meeting at Myitgyina, the capital of Kachin state that began yesterday.

While the vice-chairman of central peace making work committee, U. Aung Min, is representing the Myanmar go-vernment, main rebel groups of the country like Ka-chin Independence Army, Kayin National Union, Kayinni National Progressive Party, Restoration Council of the Shan State Army, Pa-O National Liberation Organisation, Democratic Kayin Buddhist Army, New Mon State Party and Chin National Front participating in the peace process.

On November 3, the rebel groups signed an 11-point draft framework agreement during a four-day Laiza peace conference in Kachin state to declare a countrywide ceasefire, calling for a political talks with the government and discussed establishing a federal union system in Myanmar.

But the NSCN (K) today said it would never be part of such peace deal, which would sell out Nagas’ right to sovereignty. “We will never be part of the group as we are for sovereignty,” said a senior kilonser (minister) of the outfit, Wangtin Naga.

He said other ethnic rebel groups were now seeking solution within the ambit of the constitution of Myanmar, which could never be accepted by the NSCN (K). The outfit was not seeking a solution within a federal system but full sovereignty for the Nagas of Myanmar and India, he added.

The Naga outfit had signed a ceasefire with Myanmar on April 9, 2012, but talks have not been started. The NSCN (K) leader said he was invited to come to Bangkok and Maesot, around 70km from Chiang Mai in Thailand, to discuss the peace process with the Myanmar government but he did not go as it was against the aspiration of his outfit. He was also invited to Yangon by the Myanmar government but Khaplang did not allow him to go, as the outfit would not accept the federal system. “Our chairman advised me not to go to Yangon,” Wangtin said.

Khaplang had briefed his cadres that the ongoing peace process between the Myanmar government and the ethnic rebel groups was within the constitution of Myanmar and that the NSCN (K) cannot be part of that. “We cannot be part of the federal system because we are fighting for sovereignty,” he said.

He said the Nagas are different from other ethnic groups in Myanmar and India and that solution has to be found in a different way.

Wangtin, however, said the NSCN (K) would continue to maintain cordial relation with other ethnic groups. “We will maintain brotherhood but we cannot be part of the federal group,” he said. Top Naga rebel leaders, including Kughalu Mulatonu, a senior kilonser and Lt Gen. Niki Sumi are currently meeting Khaplang at his council headquarters in Myanmar. The details of the meetings could not be obtained. On the political talks with Myanmar, the NSCN (K) leader said Khaplang has decided to consult all sections of Naga people in Myanmar and India before any dialogue with the two countries. “We cannot have two countries for Nagas,” he said.