NSCN (I-M) to hold talks in Delhi

The Prime Minister’s envoy for Naga peace talks, R. N. Ravi, also the Governor of Nagaland, will be leaving for New Delhi next week to hold talks with the collective leadership of the nationalist Social Council of Nagaland (IsakMuivah) (NSCN-IM)) led by its general secretary, Thuinga-leng Muivah, to sort out variances on rhetorical issues like flag, separate constitution for Nagaland and setting up a memorial of arms and ammunition of Naga rebels at Kohima.

Disclosing that a delegation of NSCN (I-M) has left for New Delhi on Friday to join its 86-yearold general secretary, Th. Muivah, who is in New Delhi and also battling health issues, security sources however clarified that the NSCN (I-M) delegation was asked to reach New Delhi early because of Covid-19 restrictions.

Asserting that consensus has already been created on majority of issues, security sources said that NSCN (I-M) has been insisting on rhetorical issues like a flag and separate constitution of Nagaland, besides a museum or war memorial of the arms and ammunition of Naga armed rebels at Kohima.

Indicating that the government of India may allow NSCN (I-M) and other stakeholders to have their own flag, security sources said that all the terms and conditions for surrender of arms and ammunition and disbanding the armed rebel group have already been finalised.

Pointing out that all the arms and ammunition surrendered by Naga rebels would be in the custody of the government, security sources said that the government of India may agree to set up a memorial of arms and ammunition surrendered by all the rebel groups.

Clarifying a report in a section of media that government of India was prepared to sign the peace accord with Naga rebel groups by August 15, security sources said that it was not possible as a lot of constitutional and legal exercises relating to the resolution of Naga issues have to be completed before the signing of the peace accord.