NEW DELHI, May 29 � The NDA government has directed that all pending negotiations with the militant outfits, including the outlawed ULFA, should be expedited and completed within a specific timeframe.
The direction was given by Home Minister Rajnath Singh at a high-level meeting at the North Block soon after he formally took up his new assignment. The meeting was attended by Union Minister of State for Home Affairs Kiren Rijiju, besides top officials of the Ministry, including Home Secretary Anil Goswami.
Officials made presentations before the two ministers and the meeting lasted for over three hours. Sources said that the Home Minister told officials to focus on completing the ongoing dialogue with various militant outfits, including ULFA (pro-talk faction). There was discussion on what should be done to complete the dialogues that has been going on for so long.
Talks with NSCN(I-M), for instance, has been going on since 1997, with no end in sight so far. The issue of annexation of areas inhabited by the Nagas spread across the States of Assam, Manipur and Arunachal Pradesh has primarily led to a stalemate-like situation. The Centre�s interlocutor for Naga talks, RS Pandey joined BJP on the election eve, leading to a deadlock-like situation.
The talks with the Arabinda Rajkhowa faction is also at the final stage but it has not progressed any further. Sources said that the officials are likely to make another presentation on internal security, North East, J&K and Left wing extremism.
