PM Modi directs IB Director to step in amid derailing peace talks with Naga rebels

In a big development, Prime Minister Narendra Modi has asked Director of Intelligence Bureau, Arvind Kumar, to bring back Naga Peace talks on track, after expressing concern over recent fallout, as per reports. Sources say that Government's interlocutor and Nagaland Goverr RN Ravi's silence over issue in past months has raised concerns in Prime Minister's office. 

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What are Naga peace talks & what are developments so far?

long-standing demand of Naga tribes is to create Greater Nagalim that comprises areas of neighbouring states, as well as Myanmar. After several rounds of talks, Centre in 2015 h signed framework agreement of Nagaland Peace Accord with National Socialist Council of Nagaland (NSCN) to end  insurgency. However, details were t disclosed. While PM Modi termed breakthrough as 'historic' and statement by Centre after peace accord said that y recognise 'unique history, culture and position of Nagas', in past six months, a  three-way feud has erupted as per reports.

Reportedly, NSCN(IM), largest of rebel groups, Goverr and Interlocutor RN Ravi and new National Naga Political Groups (NNPG) are in a midst of delock. Prime Minister's office stepped in after Thuingaleng Muivah, general secretary of National Socialist Council of Nagalim (Isak-Muivah) or NSCN(IM) while observing Naga Independence Day, on August 14, claimed that when it signed 2015 Nagaland Peace Accord, Centre agreed that 'Nagas will co-exist but t merge with India.'

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While NSCN-IM has demanded Ravi’s removal as Centre’s interlocutor,  Goverr me veiled attacks on rebel group in his Independence Day speech. He alleged that 'armed gangs' were running parallel governments in Nagaland. Moreover, NSCN-IM accused Goverr of converting a political issue into a law and order problem and opting a 'stratm' that resulted in killing and arrest of its members. NSCN-IM, which has been engd in peace negotiations with Centre for last 23 years, also alleged that Ravi was trying to divide Naga people and "misled" central government and a parliamentary standing committee on framework agreement.

framework agreement signed in presence of Prime Minister Narendra Modi in 2015, came after over 80 rounds of negotiations spanning 18 years, with first breakthrough me in 1997 when ceasefire agreement was sealed after deces of insurgency in Nagaland which started soon after India''s Independence in 1947. 

(PTI im)

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