GUWAHATI, Nov 11 - Government of India has found itself in a Catch-22 situation over the issue of talks with the rebel groups of Nagaland as a section of people are demanding early signing of an accord, while, on the other hand, the leaders of the National Socialist Council of Nagalim (I-M) are adamant on their demand for separate flag and constitution.
Highly placed sources in the Government of India told The Assam Tribune that the Government is for inclusive solution involving all the stakeholders and that is creating problems. �The Government is keen on ensuring that no stakeholder is left out of the peace process and that is where the problem arises. However, the Government may not wait for an indefinite period,� sources added.
Sources said that the process of talks with the Naga National Political Groups (NNPG), an umbrella body of seven militant outfits, are over and the group is ready to sign an accord. Various other civil society groups of Nagaland were also involved in the process of talks and they are ready to sign the accord.
Sources said the NNPG is putting pressure on the Government to sign the accord at the earliest. The Hoho of 14 tribal organizations and Nagaland Gaon Burha Federation are also in favour of early solution of the issue. These groups have also submitted memorandum to the Centre calling for early solution of the Naga political issue.
The Government could have signed an agreement with the NNPG and the civil society groups. But the Government wants inclusive solution. The Government is of the view that all the stakeholders should sign the agreement for lasting solution of the problems. Sources said that the Government had made its stand clear on the issue of separate flag and constitution for Nagaland, but the NSCN (I-M) leadership is adamant on their demand. Efforts are still on to hammer out a solution so that the NSCN (I-M) can also be brought on board to sign the accord. However, sources claimed that it would be difficult for the Government to wait for an indefinite period.
It may be mentioned here that talks with NSCN (I-M) started in 1997 and for years, the talks were held only with the outfit and after Narendra Modi assumed office as the Prime Minister, he decided to involve all the stakeholders in the process and talks with the NNPG and the civil society groups also started.
