Nagaland Chief Minister Dr Neiphiu Rio said the Naga peace talks would resume once the proposed apex committee to oversee the negotiations is finalised, following a consultative meeting between the Political Action Committee (PAC) and the National Socialist Council of Nagaland-Isak Muivah (NSCN-IM) at the Police Complex, Chumoukedima on Wednesday.
The meeting focused on the reasons behind the delay in the ongoing peace process and the proposed constitution of the apex committee, Rio said following the consultation.
According to the Chief Minister, the meeting was aimed at understanding the reasons for the delay in the peace process and discussing the proposed mechanism for taking the negotiations forward.
He said the talks would resume once the apex committee is finalised.
The meeting also saw the NSCN-IM respond to recent remarks by former Nagaland Chief Minister Dr SC Jamir concerning the Naga political issue.
NSCN-IM Deputy Ato Kilonser VS Atem said Jamir “was not an advocate of the Naga people” and accused him of approaching the issue from the perspective of Indian politics.
Atem further asserted that Jamir had no right to speak on the Naga issue.
Jamir had recently disclosed that he had approached Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) chief Mohan Bhagwat on the Naga political issue, citing the organisation’s influence on the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP).
The reported meeting between Jamir and Bhagwat on September 10 had generated discussion in Nagaland over its possible implications for the Naga political issue and the ongoing peace process.
The consultative meeting comes amid continuing efforts to address the delay in the peace talks and work towards a mechanism for facilitating further negotiations.