No counter proposals yet
Morung Express News
Dimapur | March 2
The talks held today between NSCN/GPRN with the Indian Prime Minister and Home Minister attracted a lot of media attention with several media outlets giving space to the issue. Times Now, the television channel of the Times of India group, carried a report quoting sources within the government pointing out that New Delhi has formalised a peace formula to break the deadlock on the Naga issue.
In what is seen as a new development, sources say the government of India is proposing setting up a Naga body without territorial jurisdiction but one that would have constitutional sanction. The details of such a proposal was however not available.
After the meeting, Th. Muivah was quoted by news agencies as stating that “the government has not given us any counter proposal. We have had comprehensive discussions; we will continue the negotiation with the Government of India.” He said “If the Centre is serious, then we will talk.” Later in the day, Chidambaram in a press conference to present his monthly performance report said “It is my earnest desire that the talks will lead to an honourable negotiated settlement.”
Attempt by The Morung Express to contact officials in New Delhi failed. While hope for pushing the peace process has gained some momentum, any concrete decision is unlikely soon, reported another news report. The Prime Minister likewise did not present the much talked about and expected 29-point proposal to hammer out a solution to the Naga problem. It may be mentioned that the proposals as speculated in the media include greater autonomy.
NDTV also reported that New Delhi has offered more autonomy for Nagaland but won’t integrate Naga-inhabited areas to Nagaland. As the report states, the Government is willing to give more autonomy, perhaps even a flag to the Nagas under Article 371 (A).
Asked whether the organisation was happy over Pandey’s appointment, Muivah said, “the Government of India has confidence in him. So we will talk to him. But if the talks do not yield any result then we will say no.” Besides Chidambaram, others present at the hour-long meeting were Home Secretary G K Pillai and Special Secretary (Internal Security) U K Bansal. Immediately after the meeting, the Naga leaders were taken to an undisclosed location for talks with Pandey, the PTI report informed.