The Centre and National Socialist Council of Nagaland (Issac-Muivah) decided yesterday to extend the cease-fire period for another three months from May 1, and begin discussions to resolve the Naga problem. The two sides agreed to strictly implement ground rules of cease-fire during the truce period.

Welcoming the decision, former chief minister and ex-MP Vizol said a "comprehensive and blanket" cease-fire should be declared by the Centre so that such steps include the other two underground factions.

"Although the level of violence during the cease-fire period came down, still it continues here and there in the state. Unless the other two factions can be brought under the purview of the cease-fire, no peaceful solution to the problem is possible," he said.

Vizol, one of theseniormost politicians and a second world war veteran, appealed to all the underground factions to come together as they had claimed to fight for a "common cause."