While the NSCN (IM) is demanding for a separate flag and a constitution, another round of peace talk to resolve the seven-decade old Naga issue began on Thursday in New Delhi.
RN Ravi, governor of Nagaland, who is also the interlocutor of the peace talks, on Thursday met Prime Minister Narendra Modi, and had a closed door discussion.
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While there was no briefing on Ravi’s meeting with the PM, it is presumed that the peace broker on the Naga issue may have discussed about the demands of NSCN (IM) with the PM.
The NSCN (IM) leadership in August this year had written to Prime Minister Narendra Modi saying that “an honourable solution to the Naga issue is possible only when the issues like Naga flag and constitution are agreed upon”.
The NSCN (IM) had been negotiating peace with the government of India since 1997. The NSCN (IM) is fighting for a sovereign homeland for the Nagas.
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In 2015, government of India had signed a framework agreement with the NSCN (IM) after they agreed for a settlement within Indian federation with a special status.
However, the talks failed to move ahead in the last four years as the two parties failed to come to a consensus on the issue of separate flag and statute, as demanded by the NSCN (IM) leadership.
NSCN (IM) chairman Q. Tuccu and general secretary Thuingaleng Muivah wrote a letter to Prime Minister Narendra Modi in August this year saying that without the core issues of Naga flag and constitution, any solution would be far from honourable because Naga’s pride and identity is deeply entrenched here.
Although the NSCN (IM) leadership remained tight lipped over the issue, it is learnt that the meeting has resumed at New Delhi on a positive note on Thursday.
It may be mentioned here that the RN Ravi, who had been the Centre’s interlocutor to Naga talks, was appointed governor of Nagaland on August 1.
Ravi, while speaking at a public meeting in Kohima in August this year, also stated that the Naga peace talks would conclude within three months time.
The Nagaland governor had also stated that the Prime Minister wanted the talks to conclude in three months time.