THAILAND: THINGALENG MUIVAH TO STAND TRIAL

(24 Jul 2000) English/Nat

Thingaleng Muivah, leader of the National Socialist Council of Nagaland will stand trial on Monday in the courts of Thailand on grounds of illegal entry into the country.

Nagaland is a North East Indian province, near the border with Myanmar.

The National Socialist Council of Nagaland is a group fighting the Indian government.

Nagaland has a population of three million people and 36 different tribes

Thingaleng Muivah, the leader is described as crucial to peace talks between the government and his group.

He was arrested in Thailand while traveling on a fake South Korean passport.

He jumped bail, and was then recaptured at the end of January 2000 trying to flee to Malaysia on a fake Singaporian passport.

His supporters gathered in front of the courthouse as his trial began.

They say the peace talks between the rebel group and the Indian government won't take place until he's freed.

SOUNDBITE: (English)
"He is very important to carry on the peace process. Without him, this process is going to be disrupted. That's why we are requesting, we are putting our request to Thai government to release him early."
SUPER CAPTION: Isak Chishi, Chairman of National Socialist Council of Nagaland

SOUNDBITE: (English)
"As for the accusation of arm dealing, that is not true. We are running our own government, of course. We have our own army. We are carrying out our own administration in our Nagaland. We have our own army of course. But as of now, we have no arm dealings."
SUPER CAPTION: Rha Raising, Committee of National Socialist Council of Nagaland

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