New Delhi, Jan 8 (IANS) Ahead of their formal discussions with the central government, the National Socialist Council of Nagaland (NSCN-IM) has apprised Congress president Sonia Gandhi of the progress in talks and expressed concern over attacks on its cadres by the rival Khaplang faction.

NSCN-IM general secretary, Thuingaleng Muivah, accompanied by his associate, Somva Chang, had a 30-minute meeting with Gandhi Saturday evening. The Naga guerrilla leader acquainted Gandhi with the nature of talks held with central government interlocutors in Amsterdam and insisted on "honourable solution" to one of the longest running insurgencies in the northeast.

The NSCN-IM is seeking a 'Greater Nagaland' by slicing off parts of three neighbouring states to unite 1.2 million Nagas, a demand strongly opposed by the states of Assam, Manipur and Arunachal Pradesh.

Sources close to the NSCN-IM told IANS that Muivah impressed on Gandhi the necessity to arrive at a quick solution, which was acceptable to both sides, especially when more than 100 rounds of discussions have taken place.

Muivah was keen that the government interlocutors provide a credible roadmap for political dialogue between New Delhi and the NSCN leadership, said sources.

While giving the delegation a patient hearing, Gandhi, flanked by Labour Minister Oscar Fernandes, who heads the Group of Ministers engaged in talks with the NSCN, was also told of the attacks on the NSCN-IM cadres.

Reports of major clashes between cadres of NSCN-IM and its rival NSCN-K have resulted in the death of several people in the recent past.

Muivah is said to have demanded immediate government action to "control" the NSCN-K cadres, which also has a ceasefire pact with the government, saying such incidents would increase tension in Nagaland.

Last week, the other Naga separatist leader Isak Chishi Swu arrived in his hometown in Nagaland incognito and headed straight to Camp Hebron, the group's headquarters, under heavy security cover.

The two rebel leaders have been living in self-imposed exile since the past 39 years and shuttle between Amsterdam, Bangkok, Manila and other Southeast Asian countries.

The NSCN-K led by S.S. Khaplang had earlier threatened to assassinate both Swu and Muivah if they tried to enter Nagaland.

The NSCN-IM has submitted a 20-point charter of demands seeking the unification of all Naga-inhabited areas of the Northeast, separate representation at the UN and greater rights over natural resources, finance, defence and policing.