Centre’s pointsman for peace talks visits Nagaland

Centre’s new interlocutor for Naga peace talks RS Pandey arrived in Kohima today on a five-day visit to Nagaland to meet cross sections of the society to know their views on the on-going peace process.

Pandey, a former Nagaland chief secretary, would meet chief minister and his cabinet colleagues, senior government officials, representatives from tribal Hohos (councils), civil society groups and churches during his two-day stay in Kohima, official sources said.

On April 7 and 8 he will visit Mon to attend the state government’s 'Roadshow' programme as a special guest and meet public leaders there where he served as deputy commissioner in early 1980s.

On April 9, Pandey, who was appointed as new pointsman for peace talks in February, will meet leaders of tribal Hohos and
Naga civil society organisation at Dimapur, the sources said.

Known for his successful introduction of the concept of communitisation of public services and institutions in the state, which got international recognition, Pandey’s visit assumes significance in view of the resumption of stalled peace talks between the Centre and NSCN(I-M).

NSCN (I-M) leaders led by its general secretary Th. Muivah met the prime minister and the home minister and both sides reportedly expressed their commitment to find a negotiated settlement to the decades-old Naga political conflict. Although no date has been fixed so far, the next round of talks between the two sides is likely to be held within this month,, NSCN(I-M) sources said.

The newly formed Joint Parliamentary Working Committee (JPWC) of Nagaland assembly last week resolved to meet leaders of different underground groups for consultation to find "a common Naga voice" towards finding a lasting settlement to the vexed conflict.

Expressing their willingness to act as facilitator to the peace process the legislators while welcoming the renewed efforts of the UPA government and the NSCN in resuming the political dialogue, urged upon the negotiating parties to expedite the on-going negotiation in order to bring about a political solution that is "honourable and acceptable" to the people.