Assam chief minister Himanta Biswa Sarma on Friday said there was enough room for discussion about the Naga issue, and that if talks continued solutions will be reached at.
The chief minister, who is also the convener of the North East Democratic Alliance (NEDA), arrived at Dimapur late on Thursday to hold a meeting with the Core Committee on the Naga Political Issue (CCoNPI) headed by Nagaland CM Neiphiu Rio and to acquaint himself with the latest development following the meeting on May 28 when the core committee met Isak-Muivah National Socialist Council of Nagaland (NSCN-IM).
After the meeting with the delegation, Sarma said, “While there are roadblocks in every complex issue, with discussion all concerns can be resolved. We have the confidence that under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, home minister Amit Shah and the matured stand of the NSCN-IM, the Naga issue will be resolved in due course of time.”
He added: “Naga Political issue is a very complex and sensitive issue. The unresolved issues should be discussed on the negotiation table. The Centre has already appointed AK Mishra as an interlocutor for Naga issues. Over concern for Nagaland, chief minister will be talking with prime minister and home minister. I will coordinate with the Nagaland chief minister; it’s the protocol.”
Sarma had told the media that his role was “limited”, and that he will not be able to “mediate in such a big and complex issue”. The NEDA convener said, “At the political level and with the political leadership of the BJP, NDPP and NPF, we keep on talking because all are within the NEDA. So, my role is limited only to interacting with our NEDA partners and not beyond.”
This is the second time that Sarma visited Dimapur, the business hub of Nagaland to discuss the Naga political issue. He last visited the state in September 21 last year and held an interaction with the NSCN-IM in the presence of Nagaland CM.
Besides Rio, CCoNPI members present at the meeting included former CM, who is now chairperson of the United Democratic Alliance (UDA) TR Zeliang, Kuzholuzo (Azo) Neinu, Neiba Kronu, G Kaito Aye, Metsubo Jamir, Paiwang Konyak, Jacob Zhimomi, Pangnyu Phom, YM Yollow, Tongpang Ozukum, R Khing, Imkong L Imchen, Yitachu, K Khalo, Dr Ngangshi Ao, H Haiying and Rajya Sabha MP Phangnon Konyak.
Earlier, the CCoNPI and NSCN-IM in a meeting on May 28, had mulled roping in the services of Sarma in the ongoing Indo-Naga political talks. The CCoNPI had proposed his name for facilitating the ongoing peace talks between the NSCN-IM and the Centre.
The CCoNPI comprises all 60 members of the Nagaland assembly and two MPs. Sarma, who is close to Shah, held meetings with the CCoNPI members, including Nagaland CM and government representative on the Naga political issue AK Mishra, earlier in September last year. Rio, along with other members of the CCoNPI, met Shah in April in New Delhi and urged the central government to expedite the peace talks.
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