Below is an article published by Nagaland Post:

NSCN (I-M) leadership is believed to have conveyed the state Congress leaders to press the central government for expediting the ongoing talks over the long protracted “Indo-Naga political issue.” 

Nagaland Pradesh Congress Committee (NPCC) members led by its president S.I Jamir met NSCN (I-M) chairman Isak Chishi Swu and general secretary Th. Muivah Wednesday in New Delhi and deliberated on the progress of talks between the Centre and NSCN (I-M).

Speaking to this correspondent, S.I Jamir said that the NSCN (I-M) leadership conveyed to the Congress leaders that the ongoing talks were being held at a positive note and efforts were on by both the entities to resolve the issue at the earliest.

According to Jamir, the team met NSCN (I-M) leadership before meeting Prime Minister Dr. Manmohan Singh and was appraised by the leaders on the progress of talks.

Later, when the delegation met the Prime Minister, the Congress leaders conveyed the issues briefed upon by the NSCN (I-M) leaders to the PM, who in turn told the NPCC delegation that the UPA government is sincere and resolute towards addressing the Naga issue.

Congress Legislature Party (CLP) leader Tokheho Yepthomi, who was also part of the delegation, informed this correspondent that the Prime Minister told them that “things are moving well” and that his government was “committed” towards resolving the Naga issue at the earliest.

Tokheho further informed that the Prime Minister assured the team that he will ensure that the core-committee continues to examine and monitor the progress of talks so that an early settlement is arrived at. NPCC delegation also met home minister P. Chidambaram and discussed issues pertaining to law and order in Nagaland.

Jamir said the state government was always in the habit of shying away from any law and order problem created out of factional clashes saying it (state government) is not a party to the Centre-Naga underground parleys.

However, Chidambaram is understood to have conveyed to the NPCC delegation that the state government is equally responsible for any breakdown in law and order in any state.

CLP leader Tokheho said that Chidambaram placed the onus on the state government for rampant extortions, kidnappings and killings stating that these issues are a “State subject.”

On the socio-economic front, the prime minister is learnt to have told the delegation that enough money is being accorded to the state and there should be development in all the spheres. The delegation however told the prime minister that mere submission of “utilization certificates” by various departments under the state government was just a “cover-up” of misutilization.

Therefore the Congress leaders urged the prime minister to send proper investigation bodies and agencies to the State to oversee the functioning of various departments in Nagaland, Tokheho added.

NPCC delegation also met UPA chairperson Sonia Gandhi, union finance minister Pranab Mukherjee and defence minister A.K Antony.
Both Jamir and Tokheho admitted that their visit to New Delhi also touched on the matters relating to party affairs ahead of the Assembly election schedule next year.