Days after a crucial meeting between the Centre and the NSCN-IM in The Hague, Nagaland Chief Minister Nephiu Rio today met union Home Minister Shivraj Patil and was understood to have discussed the status of peace talks between the two sides.

The Chief Minister, sources said, requested Patil to speed up the peace process for bringing a lasting solution to Nagaland.
Rio also met the Centre's interlocutor in Naga talks K Padmanabhiah and believed to have discussed with him about the ongoing peace process and the ceasefire which comes to an end on July 31 next.

Rio also apprised the Home Minister about the prevailing law and order situation in the state where a ceasefire has been continuing since 1997 following a truce between the Naga rebels and the government, official sources said.

Rio requested Patil to provide central assistance for modernisation of Nagaland police and for raising a battalion of India reserve police, they said.The group of ministers, headed by Oscar Ferfnandes, had met the NSCN-IM team led by chairman Isak Chishi Swu and general secretary Thuingaleng Muivah at the Hague from July 22 to 24.