The Union home ministry has rejected the demand of a separate flag and constitution for Nagaland and has decided to conclude the ongoing peace talks with the Naga rebel groups soon, by the end of this year.
Noting that Naga civil society was firm in its opinion that a peace agreement between the Naga rebels and the Government of India should be signed at the earliest, security sources said they are of the view that the Naga people may continue to fight democratically for these issues, which could not be accommodated in the ongoing peace talks.
“So far as the demand of a separate flag and constitution for Nagaland is concerned, the stand of the Government of India has also been clarified by Nagaland governor R.N. Ravi at a congregation of civil society groups on August 16,” a source said, adding: “The congregation, which was attended by members and representatives of all civil society groups of Nagaland, was called to felicitate Mr Ravi. In his address to the large gathering of civil society groups and their members, Mr Ravi had noted that the Government of India had not agreed to the demand for a separate flag and constitution.”
Indicating that the demand for a separate flag and constitution would not delay the peace process, the sources said all the Naga armed rebel groups engaged in the peace talks have also agreed to lay down arms.
Asserting that there will be only one solution to the Naga political problem, the sources said that the “Framework Agreement” signed and sealed on August 3, 2015 between the Centre and NSCN (I-M) had laid down the roadmap for the ongoing peace talks, which were now almost in the final stage. (Agencies)