PremiumNEW DELHI : The Centre is bracing for a slowdown in the north-eastern states of Nagaland and Manipur, with the Union home ministry determined to conclude the Naga peace talks by 31 October, amid resistance.
Four years after the then Union home ministry under Rajnath Singh inked the Naga peace accord in 2015, the Centre has said that the process had almost concluded, despite the fact that the talks had hit a roadblock in its final stages.
While the National Socialist Council of Nagaland (Khaplang) (NSCNK) faction has been in armed conflict with the state, the Centre had inked its pact with the NSCN (Isak-Muivah) faction, in August 2015, following which the peace talks had reduced in momentum.
The state administration in Nagaland has, in the meantime, issued orders to all its commandants to keep “two months stock of ration in view of the fluid situation in the state."
“There is no anticipated violence or trouble, but the forces have been asked to stock up on supplies. People have also been asked to not hoard essential supplies or create any fear or rumour mongering," said a senior Union home ministry official.
The Centre claimed that the NSCN I-M has been stalling the process by issuing statements claiming that it wanted a separate Constitution, flag and integration of all contiguous Naga-inhabited areas under Nagalim (Greater Nagaland).
The Centre’s interlocutor R.N. Ravi last week also held a detailed consultation meeting with the primary stakeholders of the Naga society to discuss the “Framework Agreement with the (NSCN I-M) and the agreed position", following which the Centre said that a mutually agreed draft comprehensive settlement, including all the substantive issues and competencies, was ready for inking. On the 31st.
