Shah asks Assam CM to bring Naga talks on track

Himanta Biswa Sarma who is also the convenor of the North East Democratic Alliance (NEDA), regional front of NDA, is often described as the crisis manager of the BJP government for settling issues in the north-east.

New Delhi: Union Home Minister Amit Shah has deputed Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma to pursue all Naga leaders to come to a consensus to end the long-pending Indo-Naga political issue.

Sarma who is also the convenor of the North East Democratic Alliance (NEDA), regional front of NDA, is often described as the crisis manager of the BJP government for settling issues in the North-East.

Sources said, Sarma, has been personally asked by Shah to meet all the stakeholders in the Naga talks before signing the final peace accord which is currently in deadlock over some contentious issues raised by the National Socialist Council of Nagaland (NSCN-IM).

"It's the central government who is in talks with the NSCN. I sometimes get involved with it, though not officially. However, as NEDA leader I have to talk with all stakeholders including leaders of different political parties in Nagaland," Sarma said in New Delhi on Monday night after meeting Home Minister Shah.

Sarma during his meeting with Shah also discussed some other vital issues pertaining to Assam including NRC, law and order situation and different developmental projects related to the State. The Chief Minister will visit Dimapur (Nagaland) on Tuesday and sit for talks with all the leaders.

Sarma said that as political parties in Nagaland like BJP, NPF and NDDP have come together for an opposition less State government, "I will meet all the leaders and discuss the overall situation of the State."

Sarma's presence in Dimapur assumes significance following the fact that a crucial meeting between the Government of India envoy, former special director of the Intelligence Bureau (IB) AK Mishra and various Naga bodies and NSCN (IM) leadership have been resumed on Monday after over a year.

The first round of meetings took place between Mishra and NSCN (IM) leadership led by Thuingaleng Muivah took place at the police complex in Chumoukedima on Monday. Officials said that Assam Chief Minister is likely to join the meeting today. The Naga leaders are determined that they will stick to the Framework agreement signed with the government in 2015.

The Naga leaders said that the 2015 Framework agreement should be the basis for a final deal on the long-pending Naga issue. They said that Nagas can co-exist with India, but will not merge with it.

The Naga groups have also been demanding the acceptance of the Naga flag and constitution by the Government of India which is, of course, a matter of contention between both sides. NSCN (IM) which is known as the kingpin of all insurgency in the Northeast, had been in peace talks with the Central government since 1997.

The former Governor of Nagaland RN Ravi who has recently been appointed as the Governor of Tamil Nadu has opposed the demand of a separate Naga flag and Constitution. Ravi was also the mediator of Naga talks between the Government and NSCN. After Ravi's recent departure from Nagaland, the central government has not yet made any formal announcement for a new interlocutor.

Till a few years ago, the Central government had been separately holding peace talks with the NSCN (IM) and eight other outfits, before they came together under the banner of Naga National Political Groups (NNGP). During his stay in Dimapur, Assam CM is also likely to meet all the leaders of NNGP.