The Nagaland Government wants to wind up the ongoing peace talks with Naga rebels before the State Assembly elections, scheduled for early next year. A high-level delegation headed by Chief Minister Neiphiu Rio met Union Home Minister Sushilkumar Shinde on Monday to make a request in this regard.
“We have requested the Union Home Minister to expedite the talks with National Socialist Council of Nagalim (Isak-Muivah) and find a solution before the Assembly elections,” Nagaland Home Minister Imkong Imchem said.
The meeting took place amidst reports that the Centre has secured a written commitment from NSCN (IM) that it would accept the Indian Constitution.
The reports claimed that the NSCN faction also recognised the impracticality in redrawing state boundaries in the interest of peace in the Northeast.
The term of 60-member Nagaland Assembly ends on March 26 next year.
Sources said if a peace pact is signed before polls, it would pave way for participation of the rebels in the democratic process.
While NSCN (IM) was keen for an early solution, the Khaplang faction of NSCN reiterated its demand of sovereignty for Nagas.