R.S. Pandey began a five-day visit to Nagaland to get perspective on the peace process.

Below is an article published by The Telegraph:

The newly appointed Prime Minister’s interlocutor, R.S. Pandey, arrived here today on a five-day visit to Nagaland to meet a cross-section of people to know the views on the Naga peace process.

Pandey arrived this afternoon by a special chopper from Guwahati.

The former Union petroleum secretary who as the former chief secretary of Nagaland is credited with “communitisation” of public services and institutions, has been appointed the new interlocutor for Naga talks.

During his stay, Pandey will meet the representatives of various Naga organisations, tribal Hohos, civil society and the Church and seek the views of the Naga people to add fillip to the peace process.

Pandey will also call on chief minister Neiphiu Rio, his council of ministers, top state officials and security agencies.

On Wednesday, he will fly to Mon where state government is organising a roadshow showcasing the achievements and programme of the state government during the Aoleng Festival of the Konyak Nagas. He will address the programme as the guest of honour.

New Delhi is optimistic that Pandey, who is held in high esteem by the Naga people, will at least convince the Naga leaders to hammer out a solution to a chronic problem.

The state government remains tight-lipped over Pandey’s visit, but sources said his visit assumed significance against the backdrop of resumption of Naga talks after almost a year without any dialogue.

The meetings this time will be closed-door, sources said.

They said Pandey’s visit basically aims to feel the pulse of the people and how to carry forward the peace process for a honourable and acceptable solution for both the Centre and the National Socialist Council of Nagalim (Isak-Muivah).

The Centre had taken a new initiative in the Naga talks as its interlocutor has been asked to meet the representatives of the Naga organisations. The Centre’s former interlocutor K. Padmanabhaiah never met the Naga organisations officially.

The group of ministers, constituted by the Centre and headed by former Union minister Oscar Fernandes, had met various Naga organisations, but failed to take forward the Naga peace process.

Now the “group of ministers” has been disbanded and Pandey given the sole responsibility to carry on the task of finding a solution to the Naga issue.