NSCN-IM delegation meets Modi
Our Bureau
DIMAPUR, NOVEMBER 14
Prime Minister Narendra Modi has told the NSCN-IM leaders and Central interlocutor RN Ravi that they should engage in concerted talks as much as they can to settle the long pending Naga political issue. The Prime Minister said this during the meeting with the NSCN-IM leaders before his departure for Myanmar, according to sources. During the meeting in New Delhi Narendra Modi also reiterated that the Naga political issue should not be dragged on further but it should be settled in a time bound manner, the sources added.
When contacted, some NSCN-IM leaders refused to divulge the details of it but they said “something like that” took place while referring to the meeting between the Prime Minister and the NSCN-IM leaders. A kilonser (minister) who requested for anonymity said NSCN-IM chairman Isak Chisi Swu and general secretary Th Muivah led the delegation in the meeting with the Prime Minister in New Delhi. However, no specific date of the meeting was revealed. When queried by Eastern Mirror whether it was a courtesy call or a formal talk, the NSCN-IM leader has this to say, “The meeting was both (courtesy call and formal).” The NSCN-IM leader then said the Government of India and the Naga outfit have the understanding that both the parties will not go to the media as possible as they can for the time being. “This is to avoid complication,” the NSCN-IM leader explained. “At the right time our leaders will come to the Naga people for further consultation and such events are not far away,” the NSCN-IM leader added.
This development has come after months of speculations. However, till date the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA), the PMO or other concerned authorities are yet to give any official statement on the matter.
Earlier this month,Guwahati based The Assam Tribune had carried a news item that the format of talks between the Government of India and the National Socialist Council of Nagalim (I-M) “has been changed” with both sides agreeing to expedite the talks to find an amicable solution as soon as possible.
Quoting the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) the newspaper had also reported that a decision was taken to do away with the practice of holding one or two rounds of formal talks in a year. Such a practice was going on for years without much progress in finding a solution.
It also said that several rounds of talks have already been held after the path-breaking first round, which was held last month. Now, the Government’s interlocutor and the leaders of the NSCN (I-M) are meeting more frequently and the ultimate aim is not to count the number of rounds of talks, but to find an amicable solution as soon as possible, the report added.
MHA sources revealed that the NSCN-IM leaders also accepted the new format of talks. The NSCN-IM leaders have been told that they can get in touch with the Government’s interlocutor whenever they want to discuss any point. Similarly, the Government’s interlocutor will also get in touch with the NSCN leaders whenever required to discuss any point, the report said. Now the talks will be more like “business meetings” with a definite purpose.
Sources said the Government has already made its points clear to the leadership of the NSCN-IM and the limitations of the Government have been mentioned in clear terms. On the other hand, the NSCN-IM leaders also expressed their limitations on certain issues. Those points are now being discussed in detail to find an amicable solution.
It is worth recalling here that a 10-member team of the NSCN-IM had left Dimapur on September 20 for New Delhi on the invitation of the Government of India.
It is also worth noting here that no concerted formal talks between the NSCN-IM and the Government of India was held for a long time, as it was witnessed during the Vajpayee led NDA Government.
