A 6-member team of the NSCN/GPRN led by its Steering Committee convener, ‘Gen’ (retd) VS Atem reached New Delhi on June 17 joining their chairman, Isak Chishi Swu and general secretary Th. Muivah for the next round of talks with the Government of India.
It was learnt that the meeting was initially fixed on June 18 but was cancelled since some members from both the sides are not in station. India’s interlocutor for talks with the NSCN/GPRN, RS Pandey said the meeting would now be held next week.
Both the GoI and NSCN/GPRN remained tightlipped on the issues to be discussed during the next round of talks. However, sources suggest that the talks would be more crucial this time and that some significant developments are expected.
After the talks, the Collective Leadership is likely to come to Nagaland to participate in the reconciliation meeting of the Naga political groups convened by the Forum for Naga Reconciliation.
Speaking over the phone from New Delhi, Atem said the talks might be held for two days depending on the progress and process of the dialogue. Other members of the NSCN/GPRN team include Steering Committee member V Makritsu, education kilonser Vikiye Awomi, MIP kilonser AZ Jami, arts, culture & tourism kilonser Kraibo Chawang, and joint secretary Imcha Longkumer.
On the Reconciliation meeting convened by the FNR, Atem maintained that there was no point of meeting for the sake of meeting when new developments are occurring everyday. He was alluding to the impeachment and expulsion of GPRN/NSCN president SS Khaplang but declined to comment on the issue. “Let the dust settle down a bit,” he said. However, Atem did not deny participation of the Collective Leadership in the reconciliation meeting.
