NNPGs, NSCN (IM) ‘agree in principle’

GUWAHATI, Oct 13
The Political Affairs Mission (PAM) formed by Opposition Naga People’s Front (NPF) to help facilitate the ongoing peace talks to resolve the Naga political issue has said that the National Socialist Council of Nagalim (IM) and the Naga National Political Groups (NNPGs) have “agreed in principle” to come together and discuss across the table issues related to the peace process, The Telegraph reported.
The NSCN (IM) had last week said it has made its stand  “very loud and clear” during the ongoing talks that there “is no way forward” without finalising on Naga flag and Constitution.
The NPF-PAM in a statement said their objective is to bring the NSCN (IM) and the NNPGs, made up of seven outfits, to a common understanding as both the groups are now engaged in negotiation with the Centre for a political solution.
After withdrawing from the Joint Legislators Forum (JLF) on Naga political issue in August, the NPF constituted the PAM with the objective of  “further strengthening” the ongoing talks between the Naga Nationalist Groups and the Centre while continuing to play the role of an active facilitator on the Naga political issue.
The statement said the two sides have agreed in principle to come together and discuss across the table as proposed by the NPF-PAM in a separate meeting with both the groups. The NPF-PAM said it will also reach out to all the other groups who are yet to join the peace process once tangible progress is made in its endeavour to bring the NSCN (IM) and the NNPGs to a certain level of understanding. “The collective leadership of the NSCN (IM) has also conveyed that they would definitely keep their words by way of participating in the effort of the NPF-PAM to bring the NSCN (IM) and the 7 NNPGs to sit across the table,” the statement said. NPF-PAM will figure out the date and venue very soon in consultation with both NSCN (IM) and the NNPGs. NE Now