New Delhi: Talks between the Nagaland governor, interlocutor for the Naga peace talks R.N. Ravi and the NSCN (Isak-Muivah) in New Delhi on Thursday afternoon were inconclusive.Confirming this, NSCN leaders have stated that though the issue about a separate flag and constitution for the Nagas as part of the peace accord were discussed at the meeting, no solution was arrived at.A leader of the outfit who took part in Thursday’s talks said that the deliberations with Ravi, the interlocutor and the Central government’s emissary, went on for about four hours. He said there might be another meeting on the “inconclusive issues in October itself”, adding, “The talks may continue beyond the October 31 deadline given by Ravi to us.”NSCN (IM) general secretary Th. Muivah was among the 15-member delegation at the talks held at the parliament annexe building.Importantly, Ravi is to hold a meeting with the seven Naga national political groups (NNPGs) “within a day or two” in Nagaland, following which, the leader said, “The picture will be clearer.” Earlier, Ravi had accused NSCN (IM) of “mischievously” delaying the talks “under the shadow of guns”, and said that it might sign a peace deal with the other stakeholders and keep the outfit out of it.Also read: With J&K’s Special Status Revoked, Alarm Bells Ring in NagalandThe NSCN (IM), which entered into the Framework Agreement with the Central government in August 2015 – thereby rolling out the process of talks to enter into a peace accord – is insisting on a separate flag and a constitution, as their interpretation of the words “unique history” of the Nagas and “shared sovereignty” with India mentioned in the agreement. The NNPGs, however, taken on board by the Central government later to include all stakeholders, are willing to forego those demands. Sources said, “Instead they are keener on sops like an economic package, rehabilitation of their cadres, more assembly and parliamentary seats, etc.”The Naga Mother’s Association, which was also consulted by Ravi during the peace process among others, has, meanwhile, issued a statement accusing the government of sidelining it along with some other stakeholders like the Naga Hoho, Naga Students Federation and the Naga People’s Movement for Human Rights..Keeping in view Thursday’s meeting, which was to arrive at a ‘final solution’ leading to the signing of a peace accord by October 31, Manipur, neighbouring Nagaland, witnessed some protests demanding that the state’s territorial integrity shouldn’t be affected. The NSCN (IM)’s demand for greater Nagalim includes areas from neighbouring Assam, Manipur and Arunachal Pradesh too. However, the NSCN (IM) is said to have “compromised” with that demand, “keeping in mind the difficulties to be faced by the Centre to grant us that demand, we have agreed to dilute it.”Nevertheless, the women from Imphal’s Ima Keithel, the popular all-women market place, held a demonstration in the capital city and also submitted a memorandum to state governor Najma Heptullah stating that the “final solution must not go against the collective wish of the people of Manipur”.
