Nagas on the edge as ‘talks’ enters a crucial stage

The next round of peace talks to end the Naga issue scheduled for October 28,29 and the final round on 31. The Nagaland and Manipur governments have taken steps to meet any eventuality and have put their respective police forces on "high alert".

TheNagaland government has directed all deputy commissioners of the districts andadministrative officers to remain in their place of posting and within theirjurisdiction till further orders.

Meanwhile, former NSCN (I-M) Kilo Kilonser Hukavi Yeputhomi joined GPRN/NSCN along with 16 other colleagues on Friday in New Delhi to carry forward the ongoing talk.

The GPRN/NSCN is led by MB Neokpao Konyak as President, while N. Kitovi Zhimomi, Ato Kilonser, is also the convenor of the Working Committee (WC) of Naga National Political Groups (NNPGs).

Meanwhile as the Naga flag and constitution issue remaining inconclusive. The NSCN (I-M) has lauded and appreciated the Naga civil society groups (CSOs) in "rising up to the occasion" when Nagas were confronted with a "tryst with destiny" by making their stand clear in the media.

In a statement, the NSCN(I-M) hit out at government of India's Interlocutor and Nagaland Governor R.N. Ravi whom it accused of going too far " to underestimate Nagas in taking care of our legitimate historical rights" but that Naga civil society groups "stood up boldly and to prove him (RN Ravi) wrong and to show him to mind his language of divisive tone."

Meanwhile, there are unconfirmed reports that suspecting a forceful accord without flag and a constitution, many NSCN(I-M) rebels returned to the jungles with their arms and weapons deserting the camp.

With just a couple of days before the expiry of the three-month deadline, speculation is rife on whether the Government of India and NSCN (I-M) would be able to settle the Naga flag and constitution demand in the next meeting, tentatively, scheduled to be held on October 28 or October 29.