'Centre, NSCN-IM inching towards solution to Naga insurgency'

The Centre's interlocutor for Naga peace talks R.N. Ravi on Thursday said the government and the National Socialist Council of Nagaland (Isac-Muivah) are inching closer to a solution to the Naga insurgency problem.

"We are close to a solution and bringing the Framework Agreement to a conclusion, and therefore wanted to have one more round of consultations with the Naga civil society," Ravi told journalists here.

However, the interlocutor, who is also Chairman of Joint Intelligence Committee, refused to divulge the details.

Ravi, who arrived in Nagaland, also called on Chief Minister Shurhozelie Liezietsu and briefed him on the ongoing parleys with the NSCN-IM.

He also held consultations with Naga civil society groups.

On Friday, the interlocutor will hold consultations with prominent persons and other civil society groups at the police guesthouse at Chumukedima in Dimapur.

On August 3, 2015, the central government and the NSCN-IM signed the Framework Agreement. However, neither side released its details.

The separatist group has been in talks with the government since 1997 after the signing of a ceasefire agreement.

Liezietsu, who is the Nagaland People's Front supremo, had said that his party supports the Framework Agreement.

Nagaland became India's 16th state on December 1, 1963. The mostly mountainous state spread over 16,579 square km is home to 16 major tribes, each with distinct customs, language and dress.

Christian-dominated Nagaland is home to around 20 million people. Its official language is English.

--IANS

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