NSCN (IM)-GoI continue talks; core committee to meet WC-NNPG

EM Bureau
Dimapur/ Kohima, Sep. 22 (EMN): The NSCN (IM) has resumed peace talks with the government of India after a short hiatus following a stalemate purportedly over the former’s demand for a separate Naga flag and a constitution but the fresh dialogue remained inconclusive.

After the first round of talk on Wednesday, the negotiation was expected to continue on Thursday in an attempt to find a solution to the decades-old Naga political issue. However, those involved in the negotiation are not willing to divulge into the outcome of the talks, unlike in the past when they used to provide some information.

A source told this newspaper that they want to keep the talks confidential this time.

It was also learned that the NSCN (IM) delegation led by senior leader V S Atem would continue the negotiations in Delhi and their return would depend on the outcome of the talks.

The delegation met the government of India’s interlocutor for Naga peace talks, A K Mishra, at an undisclosed location in the national capital on Wednesday, reported PTI quoting an official privy to the talks.

It added that the participants discussed the NSCN (IM)’s core demands, including a separate flag for the Nagas but the talks remained inconclusive.

Meeting with WC-NNPG

Meanwhile, the Parliamentary Core Committee on Naga Political Issue will hold a meeting with the leaders of the Working Committee, Naga National Political Groups (WC-NNPG) to discuss the protracted Naga issue at Chümoukedima Police Complex at 3 pm on Friday (Sep. 23).

This was stated by member secretary of the committee and Minister of Planning and Coordination, Land Revenue and Parliamentary Affairs, Neiba Kronu, after the Assembly session on Thursday.

‘Whether or not there is an agenda with the NNPG, the committee has to update them with regard to our last meeting with the Union Home Minister and other central leaders’, he said. He further informed that the committee has already updated the NSCN (IM) leadership on their meeting with the Home Minister.

The meeting comes days after the parliamentary core committee met with the leaders of NSCN (IM) and week after the WC-NNPG and NSCN (IM) signed a joint ‘accordant’, resolving to desist violence, work together, resolve outstanding issues and honour the “Covenant of Reconciliation” of June 13, 2009.