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Ban on NCSN (I-M) to be lifted

Informed sources said that a decision to this effect was taken on Thursday night at a special meeting convened by Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee to discuss this crucial issue, which has been a long-pending demand of NSCN (I-M) leaders Thuingaleng Muivah and Isak Chisi Swu.

Among others, Deputy Prime Minister L K Advani, National Security Adviser Brajesh Mishra, the Centre's emissary K Padmanabhaiah, Cabinet Secretary Kamal Pande and Home Secretary N Gopalaswamy were present at the meeting, the sources said.

The prime minister left the nitty-gritty of lifting the ban to the home ministry, the sources said.

The move is expected to help in finding a solution to the decades-old Naga problem. The ban order, which was renewed two years back, would be allowed to lapse on November 26, they said.

Padmanabhaiah, who has been holding talks with Muivah and Swu in Bangkok and Amsterdam, is expected to meet them shortly to convey the government's decision.

Various issues relating to the initiation of a political process with the NSCN (I-M) leadership also figured at the meeting, the sources said.

Swu and Muivah, who have agreed to come to India to further the peace process, have been demanding that the ban be lifted and cases against them withdrawn.

Mizoram Chief Minister Zoramthanga has also met Swu and Muivah in Bangkok to further the political process.

More reports from Nagaland

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