Naga peace talks: NSCN-IM, GoI to resume talks on Aug 21 in New Delhi

The push for a solution to the long-pending Naga political issue is expected to gain momentum again with the talks between the NSCN-IM and the Government of India scheduled to resume on August 21 in New Delhi.

As per highly placed sources in the know of the developments, NSCN-IM general secretary Thuingaleng Muivah will be leaving for the national capital on August 19 along with other top leaders of the group to once again press for their demand for a separate flag and constitution for the Naga people.

If the talks make progress, then the next round of talks will be at the political level, the sources said.

Interlocutor AK Mishra, senior officers from the intelligence bureau, and the Union Home Ministry will be present in the dialogue that will be led by NSCN-IM General Secretary Th Muivah.

The NSCN-IM has also been pressing for an appointment with Prime Minister Narendra Modi for quite some time now.

The Naga peace talks had hit a deadlock, after the NSCN-IM passed a resolution saying that they are not going to sign the accord until and unless the government of India concedes to their demand of a separate flag and constitution for the Naga people. The resolution was adopted at its emergency national assembly at General Headquarters Church, Naga Army, at Hebron Camp near Dimapur, which was attended by over 2000 of its cadres at various levels last year.

The government of India had agreed to give a separate flag, however, it can only be used for cultural purposes and cannot fly alongside the tricolour.

The Naga peace talks have been lingering for more than 25 years since the ceasefire agreement was signed in 1997.

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