NSCN-IM to Continue Naga Peace Talks Beyond October 31

Guwahati, October 25, 2019:

The National Socialist Council of Nagalim (NSCN-IM) has confirmed about the continuation of Naga Peace talks with the Centre beyond October 31.

NSCN-IM’s Army Chief, Anthony Shimray, reportedly said that the deadline will be extended after further consultations. He further added that although the date had not been decided formally, the peace talks would continue.

It may be mentioned that the Centre had earlier set October 31 as the final date to find a solution to the Naga issue. However, the demand for a separate “Naga national flag” and “Naga constitution” of the NSCN-IM remained indecisive.

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According to Shimray, the demands were neither accepted nor rejected. He said that both the parties agreed that further discussions and consultations would be required to arrive at a solution. The centre’s interlocutor for Naga peace talks, RN Ravi would also hold discussions with senior leaders and NSCN-IM, Shimray added.

A meeting between the Government of India and a 15-member delegation from the NSCN-IM, led by Ato Kilonser Th Muivah, NSCN-IM General Secretary was held on Thursday at New Delhi.

Also Read: Naga Peace Talks: Final Meet Between GoI and NSCN (IM) Underway in Delhi

It may be mentioned here that the Centre had signed a framework agreement with the NSCN (IM) on August 3, 2015 to find a solution to the Naga issue, but RN Ravi had accused the organization of adopting a ‘procrastinating attitude to delay the settlement, raising the contentious symbolic issues of separate Naga national flag and constitution’.

Criticizing the NSCN (IM), Ravi had also stated that the ‘endless negotiation under the shadow of guns is not acceptable’.

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