Naga Talks Deadline Ends on 31 Oct Even as Deadlock Remains

For over two decades, it has been the NSCN-IM that has spearheaded the talks on the issue.

The deadline for concluding the 22-year Naga peace talks ends on Thursday, 31 October, even as the Centre's interlocutor and Governor RN Ravi is yet to iron out contentious issues with the Naga rebel group, NSCN-IM.

While the dialogue with the Naga National Political Groups (NNPG) is almost over, the talks with the NSCN-IM, a major insurgent group in the Northeast, has been continuing as the outfit continues to insist on its demands for a separate flag and Constitution for the Nagas.

More importantly, over two decades, it has been the NSCN-IM that has spearheaded the talks on the issue.

On Wednesday, Ravi held talks for the third consecutive day with top leaders of NSCN-IM, while reports suggest that a last ditch effort would be made on Thursday to find a solution.

WHY PLACATING NSCN-IM IS ESSENTIAL?

The NSCN-IM, a key player in the peace accord, was the primary signatory when the pact was inked in 2015 under the then Union home minister, Rajnath Singh.

It has, however, been playing hardball with the Centre, with several of is members recently defecting to the Naga National Political Groups (NNPG), which became a signatory to the pact later in 2017.

More importantly, over two decades, it has been the NSCN-IM that has spearheaded the talks on the issue.

WHAT’S THE LATEST SITUATION?

Even as deadlock over the NSCN-IM demand of separate flag and Constitution remains, news agency PTI on Wednesday quoted an official as saying, "both sides are trying to find a solution acceptable to everyone.”

Ravi, in a statement last week, said that a mutually agreed draft comprehensive settlement, including all the substantive issues, was ready for signing the final agreement.

"Unfortunately at this auspicious juncture, the NSCN-IM has adopted a procrastinating attitude to delay the settlement, raising the contentious symbolic issues of separate Naga national flag and Constitution on which they are fully aware of Government of India's position," he had said.