Feb 11, 2010

Naga: Centre to Resume Talks with NSCN (I-M)


Sample ImageThe Centre today announced resumption of dialogue with the NSCN (I-M). The Government of India will be appointing an interlocutor to facilitate the talks.

 

Below is an article published by Correspondent Assam Tribune

An official spokesman of the Home Ministry said that on the invitation of the Government of India, the NSCN (I-M) leadership has proposed to come to India between April 1- 10 to hold talks and carry forward the peace process.
“To that end, the Government of India will be appointing an Interlocutor to facilitate the talks and to bring about an early solution,” the spokesman said.


The Home Ministry, however is keeping the name of the interlocutor under tight wraps, given the mood of the Naga militant outfit.


NSCN (I-M) had raised objection to removal of former interlocutor K Padmanabhaiah by the UPA Government. They had threatened to walkout of the peace process leading to an impasse.
Union Home Minister P Chidambaram after reviewing the progress of the NSCN (I-M) peace process had decided to take over and had directed formulation of fresh guidelines. The UPA had constituted a Group of Ministers (GoM) to negotiate with the Naga insurgent group. The status of the GoM under Oscar Fernandes also remains uncertain.


Union Home Secretary G K Pillai who had travelled to Nagaland soon after taking over is learnt to have conveyed to various civil society groups to urge the Naga militant groups to first unite before sitting for talks withGovernment of India.


The Nagaland Government has also been pressing the Central Government to start the peace process. N Rio Government has been petitioning the Prime Minister to take the stalled dialogue process forward.