The talks in all likelihood may continue beyond October: senior NSCN (IM) leader
Morung Express News
Dimapur | October 24
Talks between the Government of India (GoI) and the NSCN (IM) on October 24 ended on an inconclusive note. As per sources, the negotiating parties were unable to break the deadlock and the talks extended.
According to a senior NSCN (IM) leader, the two sides were not able to reach a meeting point on the issue of separate Naga flag and constitution and shared sovereignty during the meeting that was said to have lasted around 4 hours. The leader said that there were no issues on the other “competencies” as agreed in the draft Framework Agreement of August 3, 2015.
As has been the norm, the minutes of the day’s meeting remained confidential.
It was the third formal talk between GoI Interlocutor and Nagaland Governor RN Ravi and the NSCN (IM) Collective Leadership led by General Secretary Th Muivah since the political negotiations resumed on October 10 after a two-month break.
The second was held on October 14, which was followed by the Interlocutor's meeting civil society organisations of Nagaland state on October 24.
The leader said that the date for the next sitting was still to be fixed and added that the Interlocutor will be fixing a date soon.
While Nagaland grapples with the anxiety surrounding the reported closure of the talks by the end of October, the leader said that the talks would in all likelihood continue beyond October.
He said that the NSCN (IM) broached the question of the 3-month timeframe at the meeting today. The the Interlocutor was said to have responded that it was the desire of the GoI to come to a solution as soon as possible and it was not within his power to fix deadlines.
The October 31 deadline came about following Ravi’s announcement at a public reception programme in Kohima on August 17. He said that prior to his appointment as Nagaland Governor, Prime Minister Narendra Modi has expressed the need to conclude the talks within 3 months. He assumed the role of Nagaland Governor on August 1.
