GUWAHATI, Aug 29 - The talks between the Government of India and National Socialist Council of Nagalim (I-M) are in �advanced stage� and the Centre has rejected the demand of the militant outfit to allow Nagaland to have separate constitution. Meanwhile, the Centre is also hopeful that the Khaplang faction of the NSCN will also rejoin the peace process.
Highly placed sources in the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) told The Assam Tribune that the NSCN (I-M) was demanding separate constitution, passport system, etc., but those demands have been rejected by the Centre. The Centre has also not accepted the demand for creation of Greater Nagalim by inducting territories of other states as demanded by the militant outfit. Sources revealed that the Centre would not cut into the territory of any state without the approval of the concerned State Government. The leaders of the NSCN (I-M) were told that if they can persuade the other State Governments in this regard, then only the Centre would accept the demand. But as no State Government has agreed to the demand, there is no question of affecting the territorial integrity of any state of the region while signing the final agreement with the NSCN (I-M), sources added.
MHA sources admitted that till now some minor differences still persists and efforts are on to settle the issues. Sources , however, refused to divulge the details of the differences that still exist between the Government and the NSCN (I-M).
Sources admitted that some other issues need to be settled before the final agreement is signed for political solution of the Naga problem. One issue is that the NSCN (I-M) has a strong cadre base including a large number of armed cadres. Both the Government and the NSCN(I-M) leadership will have to finalize modalities about rehabilitating the cadres of the outfit. Some other issues on the post accord scenario will also have to be settled before both sides sign the formal agreement. It may be mentioned here that a framework agreement between the Government and NSCN (I-M) was signed in August 2015 in presence of Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
Meanwhile, the Government is hopeful that the NSCN (K) will also rejoin the peace process. The NSCN(K) withdrew from the peace process in April 2015 and formed an umbrella organization with other active militant outfits of the North East including the United Liberation Front of Asom (Independent) and Songbijit faction of the National Democratic Front of Boroland (NDFB). However, MHA sources said, �there are indications that the NSCN (K) would rejoin the peace process and we are getting some feelers in this regard.� However, sources did not divulge as to when the outfit is expected to rejoin the peace process.
