The Centre has rejected the demand from the Nagaland Cabinet and state's Political Affairs Committee (PAC) of all legislators and ministers to replace A K Mishra as the negotiator or interlocutor for peace parleys.
The Naga peace talks had begun in 1997 when I K Gujral was the Prime Minister. Gujral's successor Atal Bihari Vajpayee had first appointed a peace interlocutor in the form of Swaraj Kaushal - husband of Late BJP leader and ex-External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj.
A delegation of Nagaland ministers led by Chief Minister Neiphiu Rio met Union Home Minister Amit Shah in New Delhi on Thursday, Nov 21, evening. While details of the meeting were awaited, it was described as a "strictly political meeting".
Mr Rio tweeted later stating they discussed Naga issue and also Assam-Nagaland border matters, development projects and also Eastern Nagaland issue.
The powerful Eastern Nagaland People's Organisation (ENPO) is demanding a new autonomous body FNT - with adequate financial powers.
On Sept 12 at a high-powered meeting at Kohima, it was resolved to seek a new interlocutor - preferably a union minister.
Even BJP leader and state Minister Imna Along had said: “The Political Affairs Committee has asked for a strong leader to be an interlocutor so as to provide a stronger platform for early resolution of the Naga Political Issue".
The state cabinet approved the move and the Chief Minister was camping in Delhi along with colleagues including from the BJP for the crucial meeting.
"Called on the Hon'ble Union Home Minister & Minister of Cooperation Shri @AmitShah Ji, along with my Cabinet colleagues.
We discussed about the Naga political issue, Eastern Nagaland political issue, issues relating to Nagaland-Assam border, & important dev. projects in the State," Rio tweeted later.
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| Timely Move: Smart Move from Kitovi |
Earlier in the day (Thursday, Nov 21) - about two hours before Naga delegation's meeting with Amit Shah, rebel leader and pro-Solution protagonist N Kitovi Zhimomi stole limelight when he flayed what he said was the "ill-intent of political players" vis-a-vis their move to seek a new peace interlocutor for the Naga issue.
"To me, it sounded like a joke....all intelligent people got together at Kohima to adopt such a ridiculous resolution," Kitovi told this journalist over phone.
(see details of the tele interview in Link
"Talks are on for 27 years and more and technically talks are over and we are now only waiting a common draft...signing date and venue and they now want a new interlocutor...
Bhat khaisey.. auru Prarthana koribo. (You do not do any prayer after the feast is over)....This is not done," he said.
Kitovi has a point a push such a line as not only did the Naga talks started way back in 1997 - 27 years ago, the Govt of India interlocutor R N Ravi in 2015 and 2017 signed two preliminary pacts Framework Agreement (FA) and Agreed Position with the NSCN-IM and NNPG respectively.
Now sources say the Govt of India line is crystal clear - India will have only one Constitution, One Flag and One Prime Minister.
The NSCN-IM has been insisting about a separate flag and Constitution.
Secondly, the Govt says - "Negotiators are just messengers or envoys ... do not blame R N Ravi or Mishra".
This implies the negotiators were only discharging their duties om behlaf of the Government and the concerned decision makers in Delhi.
The fact of the matter is Mishra was appointed as centre's new representative to talk to Naga rebels in 2021 after R N Ravi was shunted out as Governor of Nagaland.
Of course, Ravi - who had PM Narendra Modi's blessings and enjoys good rapport with NSA Ajit Doval was made in charge of gubernatorial position in Tamil Nadu since then. But even after he took charge in Chennai and he occasionally fought with the DMK dispensation there, the central government has been consulting him informally on Naga issue.
Nagaland Chief Minister Rio had developed big differences with Ravi when the latter raised objections about 'extortion' menace in Nagaland.
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| Ravi and Kitovi - file snap |
All these also make it clear that while in 2021, Amit Shah as Home Minister had obliged Rio and his team's request to replace Ravi as Naga peace talks interlocutor and Governor (perhaps at the persistent pursuance of Assam CM Himanta Biswa Sarma); in 2024 - he is not in favour of replacing Mishra.
Mishra, a former Special Director of IB, is a trusted aide of Amit Shah and is now appointed as Advisor on northeast affairs.
If this is not snub; what is snub ? !!
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| Team Rio and Shah : Nov 21 |
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