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Resolution lies with Naga groups, says Ravi

By R Dutta Choudhury

GUWAHATI, March 4 - The Government of India is keen on resolving the Naga political issues as soon as possible but the ball is now in the court of the Naga organizations that are negotiating with the Government of India, said the Centre�s interlocutor for Naga talks, RN Ravi.

Talking to The Assam Tribune, Ravi, who is also the Deputy National Security Adviser, said that most of the key issues have been resolved through talks with the National Socialist Council of Nagalim (I-M) and Naga National Political Groups (NNPG), a common platform of seven militant groups of Nagaland. However, a few minor issues are holding up the signing of the final agreement.

Ravi said that the two major issues, which are holding up signing of the final agreement are the demands for a separate flag and constitution. He said that the Government has made its position very clear to the negotiating parties on these issues and it is now up to them to take a call. �The Government of India has clearly spelt out what it can offer on the demands for a flag and a constitution and it is up to the negotiating organizations to take the decision. If they agree to the offer of the Government of India, the final agreement can be signed tomorrow,� he added.

The Centre�s interlocutor said that the Government is keen on inclusive solution to the Naga political issues and that is why, efforts are made to take all the stakeholders on board. He said that during his recent visit to Nagaland, he had briefed all the legislators and social organizations about the progress of talks and the offers made by the Government of India. �We believe that every stakeholder should be aware of the progress of the peace talks and what the Government has offered,� he said.

On the slow progress of the talks, Ravi admitted that a section of people of Nagaland are frustrated with the delay in signing of the final agreement. He said that the Government is also keen on early resolution of the issues. But at the same time, he said that for early solution of the issues, both parties must come to an agreement on all points and the Government cannot force any party to accept its offers. Talking on round about ways will only delay the resolution of the problems, he admitted.

Ravi further said that though he was talking separately with the NSCN (I-M) and the NNPG, there would be only one agreement signed between the Government of India and Naga groups. He said that both the NSCN (I-M) leadership and the NNPG have also accepted the Government�s decision that there would be only one agreement. But so far, both the organizations are talking separately and as most of the points raised by them are similar in nature, the negotiating parties have agreed on majority of the points.

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