Morung Express News
Dimapur | October 14
The stalemate between the Government of India (GoI) and the NSCN (IM) over the latter’s insistence on a separate flag and constitution for the Nagas continues. The GoI’s Interlocutor for the Indo-Naga political negotiations RN Ravi, who is also Governor of Nagaland state, sat with the NSCN (IM) in New Delhi on October 14 in the second formal meeting since the talks resumed after a two-month break.
Today’s meeting was preceded by another on October 10.
As per a senior NSCN (IM) leader, Monday’s dialogue lasted around 3-4 hours and was relatively cordial. “There were venting of frustrations and arguments but all in all it was a cordial meeting unlike the previous ones.”
The leader, on condition of anonymity, said that there are other issues, “which both sides may be having but not brought to fore” but the topic over flag and Constitution occupied the entirety of the day’s talks.
According to him, India and the Nagas mutually agreed on a “Framework,” which includes the coexistence of two sovereign entities.
“Our stand has been on letting the ‘Framework’ settle the dispute. The question is how can Nagas come under the Indian Constitution and flag when the negotiating parties have already agreed to exist as two sovereign entities?”
While stating that the GoI’s stand points to deferring the issue of flag and constitution to a later date after coming to a final settlement, he added, “We will not compromise on the demand for a separate Naga flag and constitution.”
He said that it will be “suicidal” for the GoI to ink a deal with the rival Working Committee (WC) of the 7 Naga National Political Groups (NNPG). “Ravi won’t openly admit to this but he is well aware of the fallout (of coming to a settlement with one group only).”
The next rounds of talks will take place after Interlocutor Ravi’s scheduled meeting with Naga civil society organizations in Kohima on October 18.
