Another crucial round of formal talks between the Centre and the NSCN (IM) in New Delhi on Thursday remained inconclusive.
Sources said as in the earlier discussions, the NSCN (IM) raised the issue of inclusion of Naga flag and constitution in the final agreement in the talks on Thursday.
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Both the parties failed to break the impasse over the two contentious demands even after several hours of discourse, they said.
However, both sides decided to continue the talks and sit for another round of crucial discussion, most likely within this month, to break the impasse.
Sources said Centre’s representative and interlocutor for Naga talks R.N. Ravi neither rejected nor agreed to the demands of the NSCN (IM).
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He reportedly told the NSCN delegation that the matter needs further discussion with the central government.
The NSCN (IM) side was led by its general secretary and chief negotiator Th. Muivah.
It was learnt that the NSCN (IM) will hold more consultations with different sections of the Naga society on the progress of talks in the next one month to seek their views.
Sources also said no deadline has been fixed to ink the final agreement contrary to reports that the talks are to be concluded before October 31.
At a public function in Kohima in August, Ravi said Prime Minister Narendra Modi wants resolution of the talks within three months.
Two crucial rounds of formal talks between the two sides on August 22 and October 11 ended in deadlock over the two demands.
Ravi held a closed-door discussion with the Prime Minister in New Delhi on October 11 and purportedly discussed about the demands of the NSCN (IM) with him.
In another development, the Nagaland police in a wireless message on Thursday directed all unit commanders of Nagaland Armed Police Battalions and Indian Reserve Battalions to stock up two months’ ration or – in view of the fluid situation in the state.
On October 21, the Nagaland government directed all deputy commissioners and administrative officers to remain within their places of posting and jurisdictions till further orders.
A wireless message issued by the state chief secretary’s office also directed that in case of extreme exigency, written permission of the chief secretary be obtained before leaving station through the commissioner of Nagaland.
The message said any administrative officer not available in station and not on medical/maternity leave already sanctioned should be recalled.
The Nagaland police headquarters in a wireless message on October 11 also directed all unit commanders to recall all officers and personnel on leave, except those on medical leave, immediately.
“This is for strict compliance,” a message issued by Nagaland DGP’s office had said.