KOHIMA/IMPHAL, Oct 26 - With the next round of peace talks to end the protracted Naga political problem scheduled for October 31, the Nagaland and Manipur governments have taken steps to meet any eventuality and have put their respective police forces on �high alert�.
Officials said in Kohima that the Nagaland government has directed all deputy commissioners of the districts and administrative officers to remain in their place of posting and within their jurisdiction till further orders.
Nagaland Police headquarters has issued an order banning all kinds of leaves and directed all unit commanders to recall all officers and personnel on leave immediately except those on medical leave.
In neighbouring Manipur, where Nagas have a sizeable presence, security forces have been put on high alert and a large number of security forces, including women personnel, have been deployed at important areas, including near the Raj Bhavan in Imphal, to thwart any �unwanted activities�, a top state government official said.
A BJP delegation along with those of other political parties of Manipur is also seeking to meet Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Home Minister Amit Shah to convey the feelings of the people of Manipur on the Naga peace talks issue, a senior BJP member from Delhi said.
The crucial round of talks on October 24 to find a lasting solution to the seven-decade-old Naga insurgency problem has remained inconclusive.
Seeking to rule out any apprehension on the peace talks, Nagaland chief secretary Temjen Toy said, �Everything is normal and the public need not worry of any unwarranted situation... We are not apprehensive but we don�t want to be caught unawares and so we are remaining alert to face any kind of eventualities.�
Nagaland DGP T John Longkumer ruled out any scope of apprehension by the people saying, �We are prepared to face any law and order situation that may come about... Instead of panicking, people should be happy that the state police is on high alert for their security.�
Sources in the NSCN(IM), which had signed the Framework Agreement with the Centre in August 2015, said the outfit will stick to its demands for a separate flag and constitution during the October 31 round of talks.
The Framework Agreement came after over 80 rounds of negotiations spanning 18 years, with the first breakthrough made in 1997 when the ceasefire agreement was sealed after decades of insurgency in Nagaland which started soon after Independence in 1947.
The demands have been made after the Centre�s August 5 announcement abrogating the special status given to Jammu and Kashmir under Article 370. With the annulment of the special status, the separate flag and the Constitution of Jammu and Kashmir cease to exist.
Naga tribal organisations, civil societies and political groups have been saying that any agreement on the Naga issue should be �inclusive, honourable and acceptable to all sections of the people.�
In Manipur government orders have been issued for adoption of preventive measures to deal with any �possible disruption in the supply and distribution of essential commodities due to the impending fallout of the Naga peace talks,� officials said. � PTI
