Fresh Naga talks to resume July 6

Guwahati: The government of India is going to start another round of consultation with various stakeholders in Nagaland to create a consensus and rope in warring factions of civil society groups on Naga issues.

Informing that he would be in Nagaland for three days from July 6, Prime Minister’s envoy for Naga talks Mr R.N. Ravi told this newspaper that he was open to meet all stakeholders who intended to extend their suggestion to resolve the Naga issue.

On being asked about the stand of the government on ceasefire with NSCN (K), Mr Ravi said that ball was in the court of NSCN (K) and if they wished to join the peace-process, they would have to take a call.

“We want to take all the stakeholders on board before the final agreement on the Naga issue,” he said.

Security sources, however, said that the focus of this round of consultation would be to persuade GPRN/NSCN, also known as NSCN (Unification), leaders and Singnyaled Naga National Council (NNC) to be part of the peace process.

It is significant that the GPRN/NSCN, led by Khitovi Zhimomi and Neokpao Konyak, agreed in principle to bring about lasting and meaningful peace in Nagaland during the ceasefire agreement in 2016.

Mr Ravi had also met the leaders of Singnya-led NNC and NSCN (Unification) during his last consultation visit to Nagaland in December 2015.

Pointing out that Mr Ravi has appealed to all factions and civil society groups to join the peace-process for a broad-based agreement within the ‘framework agreement’ signed between the government of India and the NSCN (I-M), security sources said that Mr Ravi was scheduled to hold a series of meeting with various civil society organisations at Kohima on July 7. He will also meet civil society organisations at Dimapur on July 8.