DIMAPUR, May 17 � Centre�s interlocutor for talks with NSCN (IM) RN Ravi said all the Naga people, including the underground groups and civil society, will be taken on board while finding a solution to the decades-old Naga �political issue�.
However, he did not give any time frame for solution of the Naga issue though Prime Minister Narendra Modi had said a solution would be found within 18 months of NDA Government coming to power.
He said there cannot be a specific time frame for solution to the Naga political issue but expressed optimism that an early solution would be achieved that was mutually acceptable and honourable to the satisfaction and happiness of Nagas.
Ravi was speaking at the debate �Government of India is serious to solve Naga political issue� at the 26th general conference of the Naga Students Federation at Khonoma, near Kohima, on Thursday.
Terming the Naga political issue as very complicated, he urged upon all sections of Naga society to extend their cooperation for an early solution. Ravi said the Centre is very serious in bringing about a mutually acceptable, honourable and early solution to the Naga political issue.
He said he has been meeting with Naga leaders, GBs, civil society groups and students to elicit cooperation, wisdom and good wishes of all sections of Naga society. Ravi said various organisations and civil society groups who had met him, have expressed the desire for early solution to the Naga political issue.
Asked whether talks with only one faction of the Naga underground group would bring about solution to the decades-old problem, he said all the Naga groups, including the civil societies, would be on board for the final solution.
He said the Government of India would also talk with other groups under ceasefire at an appropriate time. He, however, added that �guns and talks cannot go together�.
Ravi also disclosed that the NSCN has kept the issue of sovereignty under the table. He said sovereignty came in many shades but the Government of India was willing to be accommodative to the aspirations of the Nagas.
On the demand for transparency about the ongoing negotiations, Ravi said talks cannot be held in camera since it was a serious issue. �Everyone seems to be tired of the length of the talks that has been taking place and they are also concerned to know about the progress made so far as they do not have any clue,� he said.
He reiterated that talks were not ceremonial but serious business of negotiations between two sides. He also said both sides involved in the ongoing negotiations have been meeting at least twice a week or not less than once a week.
On abrogation of ceasefire by NSCN (K), Ravi said the faction signed a ceasefire in 2001 but has been declining to engage in talks with the Government of India on the plea that the ongoing talks with the NSCN (I-M) be settled first. However, Ravi said, NSCN (K) continued with its non-engagement in talks till today.
