New Delhi, NSCN

regularly briefed on the negotiations, with Newdelhiandimphalregularlyexchanging formal correspondence on the issue.

“However,” the official added, “this process has been on hold since November, when the election process was initiated in Manipur.”

In a press release issued on Friday, the Nscnappearedtosuggestanearlydealwas possible, saying “the Government of India has recognised the legal rights of the Nagas and candidly proclaimed integration the legitimaterightofthenagas...whetherwelike itornotthereisgoingtobeatransformation in the history of the Nagas very soon”.

Largenagapopulationsliveinmanipur’s hillareas,andnagainsurgentshavelongdemanded that these communities be made partofnagalim,aterritoryencompassingall areas where the ethnic group lives. The demandhasbeenbitterlyresistedbymanipur, especially by the Hindu communities of the plains.

New Delhi, the official said, believes a breakthrough has been made in the talks with the NSCN agreeing, in principle, that Nagacommunitiescanexerciseautonomous political rights within existing stage boundaries.theevolvingformula,itbelieves,would meet the group’s demand for integration, while at once addressing Manipur’s territorial anxieties.

“I’m afraid I can’t share more details at this stage,” the official said, “but I do believe wehaveaformulationallsidescanlivewith.”

Thoughthesecrecythathassurrounded the talks has bred scepticism on the Framework Agreement signed in 2015, the legalbasisoftheongoingdeal,theofficialsaid “thefactthatfrequent,granularnegotiations are underway should tell you something about the level of understanding that has evolved”.

In a recent interview, Ravi said the Framework Agreement remained secret as the Government did not wish to “serve halfcooked meals”. “As and when we reach the finalagreement,theframeworkagreement will be part of that,” he said.