GUWAHATI, Sept 20 - The Government of India is ready to sign peace accord with the rebel groups of Nagaland but it will depend on the leadership of the National Socialist Council of Nagalim (I-M) as the outfit is insisting on separate flag and constitution.
Highly placed sources in the Government of India told The Assam Tribune that the ball is now in the court of the leaders of the NSCN(I-M) as the Centre has already made its stand clear on all the issues.
The NSCN(I-M), on September 18, issued a statement saying that Naga national flag and constitution must form a part of the Indo-Naga political solution. However, sources said that the Government has already made its stand clear on the issue and there is no possibility of changing its stand.
Sources said that the Government has already rejected the demand for separate flag and constitution. Sources revealed in the meeting held with the leaders of the NSCN(I-M) on October 31 last year, the Government made it clear that there is no possibility of accepting the demand for separate flag and constitution. However, the Government also assured that the issue of flag and constitution could be discussed in a peaceful and democratic manner following the signing of the peace accord.
Sources accused the NSCN(I-M) of dragging the issue by raising the flag and constitution demand despite the fact that the Government has already made its stand clear on the issue.
As far as the Government of India is concerned, formal talks with the rebel groups of Nagaland have been concluded and there is nothing left to be discussed. The Government has made it very clear what it can offer and it is up to the rebel groups to decide whether they would accept the offer or not, sources added.
It may be mentioned here that top leaders of the NSCN(I-M) are in New Delhi and they are holding informal talks with senior officers of the Intelligence Bureau (IB).
On the other hand, the other stakeholders including the Naga National Political Groups (NNPG), which is an umbrella organization of seven rebel groups, is ready to sign the agreement with Government of India. The Government had earlier decided that peace accord would be signed by September, but the date for the same has not yet been decided and official sources said that the Government is not keen on dragging the issue.
GUWAHATI, Sept 20 - The Government of India is ready to sign peace accord with the rebel groups of Nagaland but it will depend on the leadership of the National Socialist Council of Nagalim (I-M) as the outfit is insisting on separate flag and constitution.
Highly placed sources in the Government of India told The Assam Tribune that the ball is now in the court of the leaders of the NSCN(I-M) as the Centre has already made its stand clear on all the issues.
The NSCN(I-M), on September 18, issued a statement saying that Naga national flag and constitution must form a part of the Indo-Naga political solution. However, sources said that the Government has already made its stand clear on the issue and there is no possibility of changing its stand.
Sources said that the Government has already rejected the demand for separate flag and constitution. Sources revealed in the meeting held with the leaders of the NSCN(I-M) on October 31 last year, the Government made it clear that there is no possibility of accepting the demand for separate flag and constitution. However, the Government also assured that the issue of flag and constitution could be discussed in a peaceful and democratic manner following the signing of the peace accord.
Sources accused the NSCN(I-M) of dragging the issue by raising the flag and constitution demand despite the fact that the Government has already made its stand clear on the issue.
As far as the Government of India is concerned, formal talks with the rebel groups of Nagaland have been concluded and there is nothing left to be discussed. The Government has made it very clear what it can offer and it is up to the rebel groups to decide whether they would accept the offer or not, sources added.
It may be mentioned here that top leaders of the NSCN(I-M) are in New Delhi and they are holding informal talks with senior officers of the Intelligence Bureau (IB).
On the other hand, the other stakeholders including the Naga National Political Groups (NNPG), which is an umbrella organization of seven rebel groups, is ready to sign the agreement with Government of India. The Government had earlier decided that peace accord would be signed by September, but the date for the same has not yet been decided and official sources said that the Government is not keen on dragging the issue.
