Naga talks to go on today in search of a consensus

Guwahati: The ongoing negotiations to take the NSCN (I-M) on board failed to make any headway on Wednesday, and talks between the Prime Minister’s envoy R.N. Ravi and the collective NSCN (I-M) leadership of led by Th Muivah was postponed till Thursday.

Saying that the NSCN (I-M) was still adamant on their demand for a separate flag and constitution, security sources told this newspaper that the issues being discussed included the process and roadmap for the surrender of arms.

Indicating that a consensus on surrendering arms by the NSCN (I-M) military wing was yet to be arrived at, the sources said the NSCN (I-M) had revived its demand for a separate flag and constitution which was almost resolved during the talks.

Pointing out that the government was reluctant to extend the deadline for concluding the Naga talks, the sources said Mr Ravi and the NSCN (I-M) leaders will be meeting again on Thursday in an attempt to iron out the differences to create a consensus.

Meanwhile, with the Government of India sticking to its October 31 deadline to finish the talks on the Naga problem, the governments of Assam, Nagaland and Manipur have taken steps to meet any eventuality and have put their respective police forces on “high alert”.

Security sources in Kohima said the Nagaland government had directed all deputy commissioners of districts and administrative officers to stay at their posts and within their jurisdiction till further orders.

The Nagaland police headquarters has issued an order banning all leave and directed all unit commanders to recall all officers and personnel on leave immediately, except those on medical leave.

In neighbouring Manipur, where Nagas have a sizeable presence, the security forces in the state were also put on high alert and a large number of forces, including women personnel, were deployed at key locations, including near Raj Bhavan in Imphal, to thwart any “unwanted activities”, a state official said.

The Assam government also alerted the police forces in districts bordering Nagaland, and intensified vigil in most vulnerable areas, including highways leading to Nagaland.

Besides the collective leadership of the NSCN (I-M), the working committee of NNPGs and several civil society and church leaders are also camping in New Delhi now in anticipation of a solution by Thursday.