December 1, 2020 2:57:53 pm
On August 11, the NSCN-IM had alleged that Ravi was involved in “mischief” and that he had become a “liability”.
Nagaland Governor RN Ravi, who is also the Center’s interlocutor for the ongoing Naga peace talks, has ruled out the possibility of a separate flag and constitution for the community, one of the main apples of contention among the NSCN. (IM), the most influential naga group. and the government.
In his speech on the eve of the 58th Nagaland Statehood Day on Tuesday, Ravi said: “The flag and the national constitution of India are the pride of the people of India. The Government of India is absolutely clear that there is and will be only one flag and national constitution in India. Anyone who says otherwise is selling absurd lies. They are trying to confuse and mislead people. “
He also said that the Center “has never ever spoken, much less negotiated” on the issue of the territorial integrity and sovereignty of the country with anyone. “Any misfortune that could disintegrate this great nation will not be tolerated,” he said.
The Indian Express previously reported that, sensing growing tension in ties between Ravi and the NSCN (IM), the Center called Naga group leaders to Delhi to continue the dialogue with senior Intelligence Bureau officials.
The NSCN (IM) has stuck to its demand for a separate flag and constitution, while the NNPG, a body that brings together seven other Nagaland insurgent groups in talks with the Center, and civil society groups have held that they agree to a solution without a separate flag and constitution.
The NSCN (IM) had previously said that Ravi “created a muddle in the process of conversation” in light of which Prime Minister Narendra Modi had given a mandate to continue peace talks with the Intelligence Office.
“The Naga political issue belongs to the Naga people,” Ravi said in his speech, adding: “No entity should claim sole franchise over it.”
Ravi added: “Traditional village institutions and tribal bodies are the main stakeholders in the Naga political issue… They have clearly expressed their opinion. They demand the conclusion of the endless Peace Process without further delay. They want the end of gun culture … “
“Being disrespectful to the main stakeholders is an insult to the people of Nagaland. Any attempt to intimidate or threaten them will provoke the anger of the people and the full power of the laws of the country, ”he said.
Last month, Assam’s Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma, who is also the key BJP leader in the northeast, was asked about the progress of the talks at The Indian Express brainstorming session. Also involved in the Naga peace talks, Sarma said that a “team of officers”, under the supervision of Interior Minister Amit Shah, was in talks with Thuingaleng Muivah, the secretary general of the NSCN (IM).
“The discussions are positive and both parties have realized that they need to adapt to each other. But at the same time, we should not expect a dramatic result. This will take time and will be discussed in a friendly atmosphere. There is no breakdown of the Naga peace talks, ”Sarma said.
© The Indian Express (P) Ltd
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