NEW DELHI, Jan 15 – The Naga peace talks may have a new interlocutor, with the Central Government toying with the proposal of appointing a political leader to head the negotiations. While the Central Government is playing its cards close to its chest, the capital was agog with reports that Minister in-charge the Department for Development of the North Eastern Region (DONER), Arun Shourie name was finalised. The Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA), which is handling the negotiations is yet to make any formal announcement to the effect.
The Cabinet Committee on Security (CCS) which met last evening at the Prime Minister’s residence reportedly took stock of the Naga peace talks besides discussing the proposal of appointing a political person to lead the talks. No announcements were formally made. As reported earlier in this newspaper the proposal so far is to allow chief interlocutor, K Padmanabhiah to chair the current round of talks. The formal delegation-level talks are slated for Monday next with a few members of the I-M factions are joining chairman and general secretary, Isak Chisi Swu and Th. Muivah respectively in the negotiations.
The apparent reasoning behind not changing the chief interlocutor immediately is that the MHA may not be willing to rock the boat at this stage least the negotiations fail, landing the Government is an embrassing situation before the polls. The need to change the interlocutor is seen to be in response to the demand by the NSCN (I-M) to appoint a high ranking political person to discuss the problems most which are political in nature. Sri Shourie’s current position as Minister for DONER and his close rapport with the leaders and his understanding of the problems facing the region made him an ideal choice, according to observers.
Besides, by circulating Sri Shourie’s candidature for the interlocutor’s post the Centre may be trying to gauge the reactions of the Naga leaders who are currently busy meeting leaders of various political parties. Significant is also the arrival of Mizoram Chief Minister Zoramthanga in the capital this evening. He is scheduled to meet the NSCN (I-M) leaders here tomorrow for what has been described as courtsey call. Zoramthanga is said to have played a significant role in breaking the deadlock the last time around.
Meanwhile, the former Prime Minister V P Singh is hosting a reception for the NSCN (I-M) leaders here tomorrow. The reception likely to be attended by several MPs may offer the I-M leaders with an opportunity to interact with them. Yesterday the Naga leaders called on the Finance Minister, Yashwant Singh at his North Block office for a brief interaction. The NSCN (I-M) leaders in between their calls are also meeting delegations representing various organisations from Nagaland and Manipur.
On the political front, the opposition parties are all set to announce an alliance of all parties barring the Congress and the Left to fight the ensuing the Assembly polls. The alliance is proposed to be headed by Naga Peoples Front (NPF) is likely to be named Democratic Alliance of Nagaland (DAN).