Naga pact just the formula for a settlement: Nagaland CM

Nagaland Chief Minister T.R. Zeliang on Sunday said the Naga peace pact signed between the government and the NSCN-IM was just the formula to end decades of conflict in the state.

"After meeting Prime Minister Narendra Modi, I have come to know that the Naga accord is just the formula to settle the Naga conflict. It is just the beginning of the solution," Zeliang told reporters.

He said that after a lot of efforts the government and the National Socialist Council of Nagaland-Isak-Muivah (NSCN-IM) had understood each other's problems.

So there was a need to solve the issue permanently, which would be possible only if there was no "political influence".

"I am happy that the prime minister is resolute in resolving the Naga conflict. It is important that the settlement made is keeping in mind the Naga cultural system and based on their unique history. It is important that there is no political influence in the entire issue," he said.

Asked about the inclusion of other factions of the NSCN in the peace talks, Zeliang told IANS: "A delegation of 16 members from the civil society will meet NSCN-K (Khaplang) and, if required, the other factions too and try to persuade them to join the peace talks.

"The delegation consists of Naga Hoho, the apex body of all the Naga community, and one more group.

"They have been given the security clearance by the home ministry to travel to Myanmar and held talks with the NSCN-K, which has significant presence in Nagaland. We hope things are successful," he said.

In recent times, NSCN-K chief S.S. Khaplang has signed a pact with the Myanmar government, paving the way for grant of autonomy to the NSCN-K in Sagaing -- a northwestern administrative region of Myanmar.

The agreement also allows NSCN-K members to move unarmed across the country and to open a sub-office in the region.

Zeliang said the final results of the Naga Accord was expected by the end of this year.

He also said that allegations by Nagaland's neighbouring states that they were not consulted over the Naga accord was false and they were all aware of it.

"There is a difference between active participation and consultation. Consultation with the northeastern states was very much there before signing the Naga accord," he said.

Zeliang will meet the Naga peace talks interlocuter R.N. Ravi on August 16.

On August 3, the NSCN-IM and the central government signed an accord, after almost 20 years of negotiation.